Washington – As the California considers two wide-ranging tech bills today, the Computer & Communications Industry Association is warning that AB 1064 and AB 853 would introduce vague and sweeping mandates that create costly legal exposure, limit access to information, and hinder California’s ability to lead in responsible innovation.
While CCIA supports thoughtful efforts to improve transparency, online safety, and accountability, these two proposals fall short by layering on impractical requirements that would harm consumers and stifle progress – particularly for small and mid-sized businesses in California that lack the resources to navigate overlapping rules, excessive penalties, and unclear legal standards.
The “Leading Ethical AI Development (LEAD) for Kids Act” (AB 1064) effectively bans any AI system that could potentially be accessed by minors resulting in fewer resources, less personalization, and reduced access for young users. The bill contains broad, ambiguous definitions that pull in customer service chatbots and other everyday tools never intended to act as human companions – AI systems designed to mimic emotional relationships or fulfill social needs.
AB 853 attempts to regulate content provenance and watermarking standards across capture devices and online platforms, even though industry-led efforts to develop interoperable standards are still underway. Prematurely locking in rigid technical requirements would undermine innovation and lead to fragmented or ineffective implementation – particularly for small companies and new entrants.
The following statement can be attributed to Aodhan Downey, State Policy Manager for CCIA:
“California lawmakers are rushing forward with bills that sound protective on paper but would backfire in practice. These proposals are poorly constructed and would disrupt essential tools, weaken online access, and punish the very companies working to build safer, more trustworthy technology. We urge lawmakers to oppose these bills and instead pursue balanced, workable policies that move the state forward.”
