Data, privacy and AI rules

12 due in 60 days · 190 regulations

California AI Auditor Registry

Enacted California · In force Jan 1, 2027 · next deadline Jan 1, 2027 (in 2 months)

Deadlines

Coming up
Takes effectJan 1, 2027 · in 2 months · Source
Act takes effectDefault effective date for 2026 regular-session statutes.
ComplianceJan 1, 2029 · in 2.2 years · Source
Registry opens and registration requiredAgency must launch the AI Auditor Registry; unregistered persons may not offer or conduct covered AI audits.
Already passed
MilestoneSep 9 · 48 days ago · Source
Signed by GovernorChaptered as Chapter 178, Statutes of 2026.

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

Creates a state registry for AI auditors run by the Government Operations Agency. From 2029 only registered auditors may offer, sell or conduct covered AI audits, and they must show their registration number in advertising. Registered auditors must file information and follow conduct rules.

Who it applies to
Persons offering or conducting covered AI audits, including audits under California AI laws.
Penalties
Registration can be denied, suspended or revoked; see statute for enforcement.
Enforced by
California Government Operations Agency
Official name
Artificial Intelligence: Auditors: Registration (AB 1405)
Citation
Stats. 2026, ch. 178; Cal. Gov. Code section 11549.8 et seq.
Topics
AI
Verified 2026-09-25
Research notes

2027-01-01 is California's default effective date; the operative duties start 2029-01-01.

Related

AmendedCalifornia
CCPA / CPRAGives California residents (including employees and B2B contacts) rights to know, delete, correct, and opt out of sale/sharing of personal information and to limit use of sensitive personal information. CPPA regulations approved Sept 22, 2025 (effective Jan 1, 2026) add automated decisionmaking technology (ADMT) rights, mandatory risk assessments with submissions to the agency, and annual independent cybersecurity audits. AB 566 (2025) requires browsers to offer an opt-out preference signal from Jan 1, 2027.Next: Jan 1, 2027 ADMT requirements compliance date · in 2 months
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California AB 2013 (AI training data transparency)Developers of generative AI systems made publicly available to Californians must post documentation of the training data on their websites. It must cover a high-level summary of the datasets, their sources and owners, the number of data points, the types of data, whether the data includes copyrighted material or personal information, whether it was licensed or purchased, cleaning and processing steps, collection periods, and whether synthetic data was used.In effect since Jan 1, 2026
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California ADS employment regulationsClarifies that using an automated-decision system in hiring or other employment decisions can violate the Fair Employment and Housing Act if it discriminates on protected traits. Employers must keep automated-decision data and employment records for at least four years. AI assessments that elicit disability information can be unlawful medical inquiries.In effect since Oct 1, 2025
AmendedCalifornia
California AI Transparency Act (SB 942)Covered generative AI providers must offer a free AI-content detection tool, give users the option of a visible (manifest) disclosure on AI-generated image, video or audio, and embed a latent, machine-readable provenance disclosure. Licensees must keep those disclosures intact, and providers must revoke a license within 96 hours of learning a licensee disabled them. AB 853 delayed the operative date to August 2, 2026 and extends duties to large online platforms and GenAI hosting platforms from 2027 and to capture-device makers from 2028.Next: Jan 1, 2027 Large online platform and hosting platform duties · in 2 months
In forceCalifornia
California AI autonomous-harm defense banA defendant that developed, modified or used AI cannot argue in a civil case that the AI acted autonomously and so caused the harm on its own. Other defenses such as causation and comparative fault remain.In effect since Jan 1, 2026
In forceCalifornia
California Delete Act / DROPRequires data brokers to register annually with the California Privacy Protection Agency and to process consumer deletion requests submitted through the agency's Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP). DROP opened to consumers Jan 1, 2026; from Aug 1, 2026 brokers must pull and process requests at least every 45 days. Brokers face independent compliance audits every three years from 2028.Next: Jan 31, 2027 Annual data broker registration deadline · in 3 months
EnactedCalifornia
California Digital Age Assurance ActOperating system providers must ask for a user's birth date or age at device account setup and send an age-bracket signal to apps through an API. App developers must request that signal when an app is downloaded and launched. The signal may only be used for age compliance and not shared for other purposes.Next: Jan 1, 2027 Age signal duties begin · in 2 months
In forceCalifornia
California SB 243 (companion chatbots)Operators of companion chatbot platforms must clearly disclose that the chatbot is AI where a user could reasonably think they are talking to a human. They must keep and publish protocols that prevent suicidal-ideation and self-harm content and refer users to crisis services. For known minors, operators must disclose AI use, remind them every three hours to take a break, and block sexually explicit content. Annual reports to the Office of Suicide Prevention begin July 1, 2027.Next: Jul 1, 2027 First annual report to Office of Suicide Prevention · in 8 months
Questions about California AI Auditor Registry
What are the California AI Auditor Registry compliance deadlines?
Sep 9, 2026: Signed by Governor. Jan 1, 2027: Act takes effect. Jan 1, 2029: Registry opens and registration required.
When does California AI Auditor Registry take effect?
California AI Auditor Registry takes effect on Jan 1, 2027. The next milestone is Jan 1, 2027: Act takes effect.
Who does California AI Auditor Registry apply to?
Persons offering or conducting covered AI audits, including audits under California AI laws.
What are the penalties under California AI Auditor Registry?
Registration can be denied, suspended or revoked; see statute for enforcement.