Sacramento, Calif. – As artificial intelligence continues to weave its way more deeply into the fabric of daily life, California is set to implement a raft of new legislation aimed at harnessing the potential of AI while curbing its potential to harm. Starting January 1, 2025, the state will enact several laws designed to address issues ranging from deepfake technology to digital cloning, reflecting a broader initiative to regulate and monitor the evolving digital landscape.
Among these pioneering regulations is SB 926, a law that criminalizes the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfake images intended to cause emotional distress. In a move to further safeguard individual privacy, SB 981 mandates social media platforms to introduce systems that allow Californian users to report non-consensual sexually explicit images for swift removal.
An equally significant advancement in digital rights protection is seen in AB 1836, which safeguards deceased personalities from unauthorized digital replication of their likeness, voice, or image, requiring explicit consent from their estates. Its counterpart, AB 2602, empowers performers with the right to terminate contracts should they potentially allow studios to digitally replicate their image or voice without explicit consent.
Switching focus to entertainment and leisure, new laws like SB 969 facilitate the creation of designated zones where patrons can consume alcoholic beverages in public, broadening the scope for local businesses and communal events. Similarly, AB 1775 sets the stage for cannabis dispensaries to evolve into more dynamic spaces where consumers can enjoy meals and live performances alongside their purchases.
On the digital frontier, SB 764 introduces protective measures for child vloggers by requiring a portion of earnings from videos featuring minors to be preserved in trust accounts, while AB 1979 strengthens the legal recourse available to victims of doxing, an increasingly prevalent form of online harassment.
Additionally, SB 611 addresses tenant rights, prohibiting landlords from charging fees for check payments of rent and security deposits. The housing sector also sees innovation through SB 450, which streamlines the process for converting single-family homes into multi-unit dwellings.
Consumer rights get a boost too, as seen in AB 2426, which stipulates clearer declarations from sellers of digital goods regarding consumer ownership rights—though it remains to be seen how this will affect the burgeoning market for non-fungible tokens.
In the realm of health, AB 1817 and AB 2771 make California a pioneer in banning PFAS chemicals in cosmetics and textiles, citing significant health risks. Moreover, health warnings will become mandatory at cannabis retail outlets by March 2025 under SB 540.
From an enforcement perspective, AB 1394 puts a spotlight on the responsibilities of social media platforms in curbing sexual exploitation, creating an imperative for these companies to act swiftly in removing harmful content.
As these laws take effect, they signify California’s proactive stance in adapting its legislative framework to the rapidly changing technological and social landscapes, striving to balance innovation with individual rights and community welfare.
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