As California lawmakers deliberate over two significant tech bills, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has expressed concerns regarding AB 1064 and AB 853. The organization warns that these bills could impose broad mandates leading to costly legal challenges, restricted access to information, and impede California's leadership in innovation.
The CCIA emphasizes its support for efforts aimed at enhancing transparency, online safety, and accountability. However, it believes these proposals fall short by imposing impractical requirements that could harm consumers and hinder progress. This is particularly concerning for small and mid-sized businesses in California that may struggle with overlapping rules, excessive penalties, and vague legal standards.
The "Leading Ethical AI Development (LEAD) for Kids Act" (AB 1064) seeks to restrict any AI system potentially accessible by minors. According to the CCIA, this could result in fewer resources and reduced personalization for young users. The bill’s broad definitions encompass customer service chatbots and other tools not intended as human companions or designed to mimic emotional relationships.
AB 853 aims to regulate content provenance and watermarking standards across capture devices and online platforms. The CCIA notes that industry-led efforts are already underway to develop interoperable standards. It argues that enforcing rigid technical requirements prematurely could stifle innovation, particularly affecting small companies and new market entrants.
Aodhan Downey, State Policy Manager for CCIA, stated: “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.”