California Bill Mandates Disclosure for All Online Bots

2025-02-07
California Bill Mandates Disclosure for All Online Bots

Assembly Member Wilson's legislation reshapes California's approach to online bots, requiring all bots to identify themselves when interacting with state residents, regardless of purpose. This expands current law, which only mandates disclosure for bots influencing commerce or voting. The bill updates the definition of 'bot' to include AI-powered systems generating synthetic content. Anyone using a bot must disclose its automated nature and provide this information upon request. This applies across websites, apps, and platforms. Large platforms (over 10 million monthly US visitors) must ensure compliance. The changes reflect the evolving AI landscape and prioritize transparency in online communication.