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ARTICLE · 20 OCTOBER 2026

California Finalizes Next Wave Of State AI And Privacy Regulation

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California's September 2026 legislative session produced sweeping changes to AI and privacy regulation, with Governor Newsom signing dozens of bills while vetoing others on feasibility grounds. As federal leadership signals preference for industry self-regulation, the state continues to expand protections for minors online, strengthen data broker requirements...

United StatesPrivacy
Kirk J. Nahra
Kirk J. Nahra
Ali A. Jessani
Ali A. Jessani
Amy Olivero
Amy Olivero
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The closing days of September illustrated the growing tension at the heart of U.S. AI governance: While Governor Gavin Newsom contemplated the latest round of AI and privacy laws in California, top AI company executives met with President Trump in Washington DC to endorse a federal vision that favors self-regulation by the industry over government oversight. A month prior, California state legislators made headlines when they passed dozens of AI- and privacy-related bills on the last day of the state’s legislative session on August 31. The end of the legislative session then triggered the 30-day countdown for Governor Newsom to sign or veto the bills on his desk; if he did not take any action, any enrolled bills would become law without his signature. 

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