CALIFORNIA

Low Guidance Announced California · Oct 9, 2026

EFF joins Oakland Tech Week to discuss surveillance and AI impacts

The Electronic Frontier Foundation participated in Oakland Tech Week on Sept. 30, co‑presenting an all‑day event with MediaJustice and Upturn. Attendees discussed how technology can empower or oppress communities, focusing on surveillance…

Moderate New law Signed California · Oct 6, 2026

California Governor signs over 20 AI‑related bills into law

Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than 20 bills covering AI transparency, synthetic performer disclosures, chatbot labeling, and industry‑specific AI use restrictions. The measures amend the California AI Transparency Act, create new…

California AI Transparency Act

Moderate New law Signed California · Oct 2, 2026

California Governor signs three AI employment laws

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 947, SB 951, and AB 1883 to regulate AI in employment. The laws restrict automated decision systems, require technology-related layoff notices, and limit workplace surveillance tools. Each law includes civil…

California Labor Commissioner · SB 947 (No Robo Bosses Act)

Low Enforcement Announced California · Oct 1, 2026

EFF and ACLU demand records from Marin County Sheriff over illegal ALPR data sharing

The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU of Northern California sent a demand letter to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office requesting records under the California Public Records Act. The letter alleges violations of California law SB…

SB 34

Low Court ruling Decided California · Sep 30, 2026

California Court of Appeals affirms dismissal of CEO's anti‑SLAPP suit against journalist

The California Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed by former Premise Data CEO Maury Blackman against journalist Jack Poulson, Substack, and AWS. The court ruled the suit was meritless under California’s…

California anti‑SLAPP statute

Low Guidance Announced California · Sep 29, 2026

San Francisco announces new ALPR policy with limited safeguards, no warrant requirement, 30‑day data transfer deadline

San Francisco released a policy that retains Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) surveillance but provides only limited safeguards. The policy does not require a warrant to search stored ALPR data and sets a 30‑day deadline to move data…

San Francisco Police Department

Low Proposed regulation Proposed California · Sep 28, 2026

San Francisco Police Department proposes expanded drone surveillance policy, drawing criticism from EFF

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has issued a new proposed policy that would allow broader use of drones for public safety and patrol. The policy has been criticized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other groups for…

San Francisco Police Commission · Proposition E

Moderate Final regulation Published California · Sep 28, 2026

California Privacy Protection Agency adopts multiple regulations including Conflict of Interest Code Amendments and Data Broker Registration Fee

The CPPA has adopted several regulations, such as the Conflict of Interest Code Amendments Regulation (September 2026) and Data Broker Registration Fee Regulation (December 2025). These were adopted through the Administrative Procedures…

California Privacy Protection Agency · California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended by CPRA)

Moderate New law Signed California · Sep 23, 2026

California SB 1119 signed into law regulating AI chatbots for minors

The Future of Privacy Forum report notes that California’s SB 1119 was recently signed into law by Governor Newsom. The law targets chatbot interactions with minors, requiring disclosures, crisis‑response protocols, age assurance, parental…

SB 1119

Low Executive order Announced California · Sep 18, 2026

California Governor Newsom issues executive order on AI to spur dialogue and address harms

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for a thoughtful conversation about artificial intelligence and its potential harms. The order supports expanding reporting requirements under SB 53 (2025) for loss‑of‑control…

Governor Gavin Newsom · SB 53 (2025)

Low Proposed bill Announced California · Sep 17, 2026

California SB 976 restricts teen social media feed recommendations, challenged as unconstitutional

California enacted SB 976, which requires parental permission before teens can view recommended content from other users on social media. The law is being challenged in Meta v. Bonta on First Amendment grounds. EFF argues the law also…

SB 976

Moderate Proposed bill Passed California · Sep 15, 2026

California legislature passes three AI employment bills pending Governor's signature

The California State Legislature approved SB 947, SB 951, and AB 1883, which impose restrictions on automated decision systems, require technology displacement notices under Cal/WARN, and limit workplace surveillance tools. Each bill would…

California Labor Commissioner · SB 947 (No Robo Bosses Act)

Moderate Proposed bill Passed California · Sep 14, 2026 · effective Jan 1, 2027

California Legislature passes SB 690 to limit pen register lawsuits under CIPA

On August 28, 2026 the California Legislature passed SB 690, a bill that would eliminate private lawsuits for website-based pen register claims under the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The bill would restrict such claims to actions…

California Attorney General · California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA)

Low New law Signed California · Sep 11, 2026

California Governor signs AB 2071 and AB 2298 to add digital literacy and cybersecurity to school curricula

Governor Newsom signed a package of 12 bills, including AB 2071 and AB 2298, that require digital wellness and cybersecurity education in California schools. The bills aim to protect children online through education rather than bans.

AB 2071

Moderate New law Signed California · Sep 10, 2026

California AB 1709, a ban on social media for under‑16, signed into law

AB 1709 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. The law imposes a functional ban on social media use for people under the age of 16 and requires age‑verification. Critics say the ban will increase data collection and limit free…

AB 1709

Moderate Proposed bill Passed one chamber California · Aug 31, 2026

California Assembly Bill 1709 passed, bans social media recommendation features for users under 16

The California legislature passed Assembly Bill 1709, which would prohibit platforms from providing recommendation algorithms and related features to users under 16. The bill would require age‑verification methods that could involve…

AB 1709

Low Lawsuit filed Filed California · Aug 26, 2026

EFF and ACLU sue San Jose Police over warrantless ALPR searches

The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU of Northern California have filed a lawsuit in California state court challenging the San Jose Police Department's practice of searching stored license‑plate data without a warrant. The suit…

California Constitution