New York Enacts New AI and Baby Monitor Safety Laws
The law mandates security upgrades for connected monitors and restricts certain chatbot features for minors starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Governor Kathy Hochul signed two new laws in New York aimed at restricting teen access to specific AI chatbot features and mandating security upgrades for internet-connected baby monitors. The legislation establishes strict age-verification requirements and security protocols for manufacturers operating within the state.
Why it matters
These laws signal a shift toward state-level regulatory oversight for consumer AI products and Internet of Things (IoT) hardware. By targeting AI interactions for minors and security vulnerabilities in home monitoring, New York is setting new compliance standards for companies that collect user data.
A Rapid7 evaluation of nine internet-connected baby monitors from eight manufacturers found that eight devices earned an F grade for security. The new law mandates that vendors implement protective security features to block unauthorized video and audio streaming.
The players
Kathy Hochul
The Governor of New York who signed the legislation governing chatbot access and baby monitor security standards.
Rapid7
A cybersecurity firm specializing in vulnerability research and risk assessment that tested nine consumer baby monitors.
The details
The AI chatbot law requires companies to employ multiple age-verification methods to identify users under 18, forbidding the use of government IDs alone. Once verification occurs, companies must delete the collected identification data. Regarding home security, manufacturers must now integrate protective protocols to prevent unauthorized access to video or audio feeds and include explicit warning labels regarding internet connectivity on all new monitors sold in New York.
Timeline
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bills into law in October 2026.
The security law for baby monitors takes effect in January 2027, approximately 90 days after signing.
The Tech Race
This legislation follows the precedent of the federal Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act by shifting the focus from government hardware to commercial consumer devices. It establishes a new state-level compliance baseline that diverges from the previous, less-regulated market landscape for connected monitors.
Teens and their parents will encounter new age-verification protocols when accessing specific AI companion features, which 72% of teens report having used. Meanwhile, new baby monitor purchases will require shoppers to look for labels confirming that the hardware meets state-mandated security standards against unauthorized streaming.
The takeaway
New York is setting a firm precedent for state-led oversight of consumer-facing AI and IoT security. Consumers should monitor for updated security labels on new baby monitors starting in January 2027 and be prepared for potential shifts in chatbot availability for minors.
What happens next
Companies selling baby monitors have until January 2027 to ensure their products include required security features and updated warning labels to comply with the new state law.
Further reading
Explore more on how regulations are impacting the Artificial Intelligence sector.
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Should states pass stricter laws to regulate AI chatbots and internet-connected devices used by children?
