AI disclosure laws in California
What businesses using chatbots, AI voice agents or AI content in California need to know. Last reviewed 2026-11-02. Not legal advice.
Short answer
Yes. California has 4 AI disclosure laws in force: California B.O.T. Act (SB 1001); California Companion Chatbot Law (SB 243); California AI-voice robocall disclosure (AB 2905); California AI Transparency Act (SB 942 / AB 853 / SB 1000). 1 more is enacted and starting later: California Customer Service Chatbots (AB 1609). Federal rules, including the FTC Act, also apply.
California B.O.T. Act (SB 1001)
In forceWho it covers
Operators of bots on public platforms with 10M+ unique monthly U.S. visitors (very large sites, social networks, marketplaces).
What to disclose
A clear, conspicuous disclosure reasonably designed to inform the person that they are interacting with a bot.
Penalties
Enforced through California's Unfair Competition Law (civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation).
Full details and sources for California B.O.T. Act (SB 1001)
Who it covers
Anyone who makes a companion chatbot available to users in California. Bots that remember users, personalize, check in, or build rapport can qualify even if they started as e-commerce assistants.
What to disclose
Clear and conspicuous notice that the chatbot is artificially generated and not human; a notice that the chatbot may not be suitable for some minors on the app or site.
Penalties
Private right of action: the greater of $1,000 per violation or actual damages, plus injunctive relief and attorney's fees.
Full details and sources for California Companion Chatbot Law (SB 243)
Who it covers
Anyone placing calls with an automatic dialing-announcing device: equipment that stores or generates numbers and plays a prerecorded message.
What to disclose
An unrecorded, natural voice announcement with the nature of the call, the business's name, address and phone number, a question asking for consent to hear the message, and a statement that the message uses an artificial voice, if it does.
Penalties
A fine up to $500 per violation, disconnection of the device's phone service, or both, set by the Public Utilities Commission.
Full details and sources for California AI-voice robocall disclosure (AB 2905)
California Customer Service Chatbots (AB 1609)
Starts 2027-01-01Who it covers
Businesses with more than $500 million in gross annual revenue nationally that use a customer service chatbot with customers whose account address is in California.
What to disclose
A clear and conspicuous notice that the customer service chatbot is artificially generated and not human.
Penalties
Up to $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for each later violation.
Full details and sources for California Customer Service Chatbots (AB 1609)
Who it covers
Anyone who creates, codes or produces a generative AI system publicly accessible in California, at any size; large online platforms with 2M+ monthly users; GenAI hosting platforms; capture device manufacturers.
What to disclose
Latent provenance disclosures in AI-generated images, audio and video, where technically feasible; platform display of provenance to users from 2027. The law no longer requires an optional visible label.
Penalties
$5,000 per violation; each day in violation is a separate violation. A prevailing plaintiff recovers attorney's fees and costs. Falsely claiming a system is assistive technology: $50,000 per violation, each day separate, until Jan 1, 2029.
Full details and sources for California AI Transparency Act (SB 942 / AB 853 / SB 1000)
Bills to watch in California
- SB 1119 (Adam's Law) chatbot safety (Signed Sept 10, 2026 (Chapter 190); main duties start July 1, 2027). Child-safety duties for companion chatbots that allow users under 18. Folded into the SB 243 entry.
Not law yet. BotNotice tracks these and updates this page when they change.
Federal rules that also apply in California
- FTC Act Section 5: deceptive AI practices: Section 5 bans deceptive acts and practices in commerce.
- TCPA: AI-generated voices are 'artificial or prerecorded' calls: The FCC ruled that calls using AI-generated voices are 'artificial or prerecorded voice' calls under the TCPA.
Questions businesses ask
Does California require businesses to disclose AI chatbots?
Yes. California has 4 AI disclosure laws in force: California B.O.T. Act (SB 1001); California Companion Chatbot Law (SB 243); California AI-voice robocall disclosure (AB 2905); California AI Transparency Act (SB 942 / AB 853 / SB 1000). 1 more is enacted and starting later: California Customer Service Chatbots (AB 1609). Federal rules, including the FTC Act, also apply.
When does California Customer Service Chatbots (AB 1609) take effect?
California Customer Service Chatbots (AB 1609) (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 22625 to 22629 (AB 1609, Chapter 733, 2026)) takes effect 2027-01-01. A clear and conspicuous notice that the customer service chatbot is artificially generated and not human.
What happens if a business in California doesn't disclose AI?
Under California Companion Chatbot Law (SB 243): Private right of action: the greater of $1,000 per violation or actual damages, plus injunctive relief and attorney's fees. Enforced by Private lawsuits; California Attorney General.. Individuals can also sue.
How can a business in California show visitors it uses AI?
Show a clear notice that visitors are talking to AI before or when a chat starts, repeat it on the schedule the law sets, and keep a record that it appeared. BotNotice does this with one line of code on most website builders.
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