AI disclosure laws in California
What businesses using chatbots, AI voice agents or AI content in California need to know. Last reviewed 2026-09-09. 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). Federal rules, including the FTC Act, also apply.
California B.O.T. Act (SB 1001)
In forceCal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17940–17943 · effective 2019-07-01
Who 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.
When: Before or during the interaction; safest at the start.
Applies to
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) →
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22601 et seq. (SB 243, 2025) · effective 2026-01-01 · private right of action
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.
When: Whenever a reasonable person could be misled; for known minors, at least every three hours during continuing use, plus break reminders.
Applies to
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) →
Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 2874 as amended by AB 2905 (2024) · effective 2025-01-01
Who it covers
Businesses placing automated calls with AI-generated voices to California numbers.
What to disclose
A statement at the beginning of the call that the voice is artificially generated, plus the caller's identity.
When: At the start of the call, before the message content.
Applies to
Penalties
Public Utilities Code penalties and unfair-competition remedies.
Full details and sources for California AI-voice robocall disclosure (AB 2905) →
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22757 et seq. · effective 2026-08-02
Who it covers
Large generative-AI providers (1M+ monthly users); indirectly, businesses distributing AI-generated media.
What to disclose
Latent provenance disclosures in AI-generated media; optional manifest labels.
When: At generation/distribution.
Applies to
Penalties
$5,000 per violation per day.
Full details and sources for California AI Transparency Act (SB 942 / AB 853) →
Bills to watch in California
- SB 1119 (Adam's Law) chatbot safety (On Governor's desk (deadline Sept 30, 2026)). Strengthens pre-release testing for companion chatbots.
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: The Federal Trade Commission treats leading consumers to believe they are dealing with a human, when that fact would matter to their decision, as a deceptive practice.
- TCPA: AI-generated voices are 'artificial or prerecorded' calls: The FCC ruled that calls using AI-generated or AI-modified voices are 'artificial or prerecorded voice' calls under the TCPA.
Check your own website
See which of these laws reach your business, and whether your site already shows an AI notice. Free, no credit card.
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). Federal rules, including the FTC Act, also apply.
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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