Newsom Says California Can ‘Continue to Lead in AI and Technology’ As Law Mandates Online Age Verification

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Monday requiring device-makers to verify the ages of users online, marking a significant development in state-level efforts to protect children from potentially inappropriate digital content. Major tech companies, including Google, Meta, OpenAI, and Snap, supported the legislation, while Hollywood studios and streaming platforms had lobbied heavily against it.

The law, Assembly Bill 1043, directs device manufacturers such as Apple and Google to collect age information from users and categorize them into one of four age brackets. App developers are then required to request user ages to ensure appropriate content access, according to Politico. The measure avoids some of the more invasive practices seen in other states, such as mandatory photo ID uploads or parental consent for app downloads.

Newsom emphasized that the law balances child safety with privacy considerations and the promotion of technological leadership. “We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do it responsibly — protecting our children every step of the way,” he said during the announcement. The governor also introduced additional online safety measures, including AI chatbot controls and social media warning labels.

Examining The Balance Between Tech Innovation And Content Regulation

The California law stands out for its broad support from the tech sector, unlike similar initiatives in Utah and Texas, which faced deeper divisions. Tech companies argued that a standardized, device-based age verification system could protect children without imposing burdensome requirement. The law’s design reflects a compromise that allows for age verification while avoiding the privacy concerns that had stalled other proposals nationwide.

Hollywood studios, represented by the Motion Picture Association, expressed concerns that the device-based system could create confusion when parents and children share streaming accounts. However, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who authored AB 1043, stated that the legislation does not prevent the creation of kid-friendly streaming profiles and pledged to work with the industry on future refinements.

The law also signals California’s potential to set a national precedent for age verification and online safety standards. By implementing measures supported by major technology companies, the state aims to show that regulation can protect children without undermining innovation or privacy. California’s approach could serve as a model for other states and influence federal discussions on online content safety.

As the law takes effect, device-makers will be responsible for grouping users by age and enabling developers to access that information for compliance purposes. This framework aims to provide a practical solution to the growing challenge of shielding children from harmful digital content while maintaining parental oversight.