Topic: state legislation
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Texas App Store Age Verification Law Blocked by Judge
A federal judge has blocked a Texas law requiring app stores to verify user ages, issuing a preliminary injunction and indicating the law likely violates First Amendment free speech protections. The law, part of a novel state legislative model, would have made app stores like Apple's and Google's...
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New York Moves to Regulate Roblox Gaming Platform
New York is proposing new regulations, led by Governor Kathy Hochul, to enhance children's digital safety on online gaming platforms like Roblox, filling gaps left by stalled federal action. The proposed rules would require platforms to verify user ages, set the strictest privacy defaults for min...
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App Store ID Check: What You Need to Know
The focus for online age verification is shifting to app stores like Apple's and Google's, aiming to centralize responsibility on these gatekeepers rather than individual app developers. App stores are targeted as a strategic choke point because they are centralized marketplaces, making age check...
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NY AI Bill Sponsor Defies a16z Super PAC Targeting Him
Assembly member Alex Bores is targeted by a super PAC, Leading the Future, backed by major tech investors with over $100 million, opposing his support for AI regulation in his congressional campaign. Bores sponsors the bipartisan RAISE Act in New York, which would require large AI labs to impleme...
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Net Neutrality's Brief Return: What Happened?
The FCC has dismantled federal net neutrality rules, leaving the future of an open internet uncertain and shifting the regulatory battle to the state level. State laws, like California's strong 2018 statute, have become crucial consumer safeguards, but are now threatened by federal efforts to lin...
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Your Right to Repair: The Battle Heats Up
The right-to-repair movement has achieved significant legislative progress, with three U.S. states passing laws this year, reflecting a shift toward consumer autonomy and product longevity. Advocates argue that restricting repair creates a costly, non-competitive service market and contributes to...
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New Road Safety Group Takes Aim at Self-Driving Cars
SAVE-US is advocating for stricter autonomous vehicle regulations, focusing on Tesla as a key example of inadequate safety oversight and pushing for clearer operational disclosures and crash data reporting. The organization plans to target large states like Illinois, New York, and New Jersey to i...
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California's AI Safety Law: Proving Innovation and Regulation Can Coexist
California's SB 53 mandates that major AI labs disclose safety protocols and adhere to security standards, particularly for catastrophic risks, enforced by the Office of Emergency Services. The law reinforces existing industry practices to uphold corporate safety commitments and prevent cutting c...
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$100M AI Super PAC's Attack on Democrat Alex Bores May Have Backfired
A political attack by an AI super PAC unintentionally boosted the profile of candidate Alex Bores, allowing him to advocate for AI regulation and frame the opposition as helpful in raising public awareness. Bores co-authored the RAISE Act, which passed New York's legislature and would impose fine...
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Meta's Super PAC Fights AI Regulation Amid State Push
Meta is investing tens of millions into a new super PAC to oppose state-level AI regulations, aiming to protect innovation from legislative hurdles it deems harmful. The bipartisan-run super PAC will support candidates from both parties who align with Meta's goals of promoting U.S. tech leadershi...
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Apple, Google Forced to Adopt Texas Age Checks
Starting in 2026, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana will require age verification for app downloads from major platforms like Apple's App Store and Google Play to protect minors online. Apple and Google are implementing these systems under state laws but have raised privacy concerns, as the measures nec...
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California's New Internet Age-Verification Law Takes Effect
California has enacted the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), requiring operating systems and app stores to verify users' ages during new device setup, with enforcement starting in 2027 and penalties for noncompliance. The law aims to enhance online safety for minors, reflecting a national tren...
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Florida Emerges as Hotspot for Risky Stem-Cell Therapies
Florida's new law allows unapproved stem-cell therapies for wound care, pain management, and orthopedic conditions without FDA oversight, sparking debate between medical autonomy and patient safety concerns. Supporters argue the law expands access to innovative treatments, while critics warn of r...
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California's AI Crackdown: Can One State Prevent Disaster?
A new California law requires AI companies to publicly disclose their catastrophic risk management plans and report serious safety incidents, with significant penalties for non-compliance. The legislation addresses expert warnings that advanced AI could cause widespread harm through malicious use...
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Apple Locks Down iPhones to Comply With Texas Age Law
Starting January 2026, Apple will enforce age verification for new Apple Account creations in Texas, requiring users to confirm they are at least 18 years old, with minors needing parental consent via Family Sharing for app downloads and transactions. Apple is updating its Declared Age Range API ...
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Apple's New App Rules for Texas Users
A new Texas law (SB2420) requires Apple to implement age verification for App Store users, prompting concerns about privacy despite supporting child safety objectives. Starting January 1, 2026, Texas users must confirm they are 18 or older to create accounts, with minors requiring parental approv...
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Ted Cruz Bill Grants AI Firms 10-Year Self-Regulation Window
Senator Ted Cruz has proposed the SANDBOX Act, which would allow AI companies to operate with reduced federal oversight for up to ten years by granting them waivers from certain regulations. The bill includes provisions for automatic approval if agencies do not respond to waiver requests within 9...
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California's Rental Fee Law Sparks ISP Backlash
A new California law effective January 1 allows tenants to decline bundled internet services in their leases without penalty, aiming to increase competition and fairness in the rental market. The legislation, supported by bipartisan lawmakers and smaller providers, does not ban bulk billing but e...
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Google's AI Safety Report Warns of Uncontrollable AI
Google's Frontier Safety Framework introduces Critical Capability Levels to proactively manage risks as AI systems become more powerful and opaque. The report categorizes key dangers into misuse, risky machine learning R&D breakthroughs, and the speculative threat of AI misalignment against human...
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