As the popularity of AI companion chatbots rises, concerns—particularly around their effects on minors and vulnerable users—have prompted legislative pushback.
California enacted the first AI companion chatbot law in 2025; Oregon and Washington passed more expansive legislation this year. Lawmakers have also introduced nearly 100 chatbot-related bills across 34 states and at the federal level targeting AI companions, mental health chatbots, and similar systems. These legislative efforts show the growing interest in reining in AI companion systems.
Building on California’s Foundation
California’s law mandates that AI companion app operators disclose to users that they’re interacting with AI, maintain protocols ...