SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers have passed new regulations aimed at enhancing protections for children, communities, and workers from the impacts of the technology industry. On Monday, the state legislature approved measures concerning social media and artificial intelligence, as well as proposed restrictions on data centers, amid growing concerns about the influence of technology on daily life.
The legislation addresses issues such as the potential harm of platforms like TikTok and Instagram on young users, as well as the implications of AI on employment. Lawmakers are also responding to worries about the environmental impact of data centers, including rising electricity costs and water usage.
Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) noted a significant public demand for regulatory changes, stating, "There’s a heightened level of tech anxiety right now... People are coalescing and they’re demanding that policymakers make change."
Governor Gavin Newsom will need to decide whether to sign the legislation into law. He has previously expressed the challenge of balancing public protection with the need to foster growth in the technology sector, which is vital to California's economy. Newsom remarked, "I think that’s the constant tension... We’re constantly sort of fighting that balance."
The new regulations include Assembly Bill 1709, which prohibits online platforms from offering features deemed addictive to users under 16 years old, such as autoplay and algorithm-driven content recommendations. Lowenthal emphasized the harmful effects of such features on developing brains.
In addition to social media regulations, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 947, which restricts employers from relying solely on automated systems for employee discipline or termination, requiring human verification for such decisions. Another bill, Senate Bill 951, mandates that employers provide 60 days' notice before AI-related layoffs.
Lawmakers also approved Assembly Bill 1609, which requires businesses to offer access to human customer service representatives and disclose the use of chatbots. Furthermore, a moratorium on the sale and manufacturing of AI-powered toys was enacted due to concerns about their effects on children.
The legislature's actions come in response to a broader trend of states and countries implementing regulations on technology use, particularly among young people. California's approach aims to limit how social media platforms design their features rather than banning them outright.
In August, Meta Platforms agreed to a settlement involving a $17 billion payment and changes to enhance child safety on its platforms, following a multi-state lawsuit regarding the design of harmful features. The new California legislation seeks to impose stricter requirements than the settlement, applying to various platforms beyond Meta.
Industry representatives have criticized the new regulations as overly broad, arguing that existing laws should be enforced and parental tools strengthened instead. Robert Boykin, executive director of TechNet, stated, "The durable path is to enforce the targeted laws California already has..."
The California legislature is expected to vote on additional bills regulating the tech industry soon. Newsom's stance on these new measures remains uncertain, as he previously vetoed a similar AI regulation bill last year. Lowenthal highlighted the urgency of addressing public concerns about social media, stating, "I’ve yet to find a family with school-age children in the state of California... that is not going through this right now."