Albany, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two new laws aimed at protecting New York families from emerging technology risks. The legislation tightens security requirements for internet‑connected baby monitors and bans unsafe artificial‑intelligence chatbot features for minors.
Stronger safeguards for baby monitors
Bill S.9508/A.5175A mandates that any baby monitor sold in the state that connects to the internet must include built‑in privacy protections that block strangers from viewing or hearing a child’s room. The law also requires a clear, easy‑to‑read label warning parents that the device is internet‑enabled and explaining how to activate its security features. The measure takes effect 90 days after the governor’s signature.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes emphasized the need for “privacy features that prevent strangers from seeing or hearing what’s happening in a child’s room” and said the warning label will help families understand how to keep their homes safe. Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages added that the new rules ensure baby monitors serve their intended purpose – helping parents watch their newborns – without opening the door to hackers.
AI chatbot protections for children
The second bill, S.9051B/A.10379C, prohibits companies from offering AI chatbot functions that could endanger minors. Prohibited features include chatbots that pretend to be human, create emotional dependency, encourage self‑harm, or provide sexually explicit content. Companies must also implement robust age‑verification methods, offering more than one way to confirm a user is not under 18, with at least one option that does not rely solely on government ID. Age data must be deleted after verification.
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez warned that AI firms have profited by rolling out chatbots to underage users, noting instances where bots have “encouraged self‑harm” and “coached minors on how to harm others.” Assemblymember Alex Bores called the law “the strongest in the country” for protecting children from predatory AI algorithms, despite industry pushback.
Support from child‑safety advocates
Common Sense Media reports that 72% of teens have used an AI companion at least once, and 52% are regular users. The organization has linked such tools to dependency, isolation, and, in some cases, exposure to sexually explicit material or encouragement of self‑harm.
James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, hailed the legislation as a national benchmark, saying it addresses “reckless endangerment of our children” rather than genuine innovation. New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person praised Governor Hochul for confronting the risks posed by AI chatbots, noting that children deserve the chance to develop real human connections without harmful technology interference.
Enforcement and penalties
Attorney General Letitia James said the law provides clear legal parameters and warned that violations could result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per infraction, plus damages, restitution, and the destruction of unlawfully collected data or AI models trained on it. The attorney general’s office will maintain a public website for filing complaints.
These measures build on Hochul’s broader agenda to make New York a leader in online child safety, joining initiatives such as the SAFE for Kids Act, the Child Data Protection Act, and the RAISE Act.
What this means for families
Parents can expect new baby monitors on store shelves to carry a prominent warning label and to include built‑in encryption or other safeguards that block unauthorized access. AI service providers will need to verify a user’s age before offering any chatbot that could be considered unsafe for minors, and they must delete age‑verification data after use.
These steps aim to give families peace of mind that the technology they rely on at home is designed with children’s safety as a top priority.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
