Definition
Laws specifically targeting AI systems designed to form ongoing, emotional, or social relationships with users — such as companionship apps, mental health chatbots, and social AI friends. Several US states have enacted laws in 2026 requiring disclosures, age verification, consent mechanisms, and safety features for these products, reflecting concern about manipulation, dependency, and harm to minors.
Why it matters
Organisations deploying consumer-facing conversational AI — even internally for employee wellbeing — may now face binding obligations depending on the states where users are located. The regulatory patchwork is expanding rapidly and carries real liability for non-compliance.