California
Why California's data broker registry matters more than its delete button
COMMENTARY | The state’s Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform is not a complete solution, but nor is it a token gesture. Its true extent will become apparent.
California students author new ‘digital wellness’ bill, say phone bans fall short
Assembly Bill 2071 would require California schools to include social media and AI use in health classes.
Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much.
Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It's the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.
A new kind of fire detection technology comes to a California county
San Bernardino County is building a network of sensors that detect when high-risk lightning strikes the ground, giving fire officials an early warning to weather events that could escalate into wild fires.
He saw an abandoned trailer. Then, he uncovered a surveillance network on California's border
Southern California residents are noticing new license plate readers that appear to be operated by the Border Patrol. Some have had confusing encounters with agents.
AI images scandalized a California elementary school. Now the state is pushing new safeguards.
An incident with Adobe AI software is raising question about whether the California Department of Education can effectively patrol a new technology.
California investigates Elon Musk’s AI company after ‘avalanche’ of complaints about sexual content
Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office is looking into whether a new AI image editing tool from Elon Musk's company violates California law.
How Californians can use a new state website to block hundreds of data brokers
A tool called DROP lets California residents fill out a few forms to keep their personal data from being tracked or sold by data brokers.
California tax revenue getting a boost from AI boom — but for how long?
As talk of a possible AI bubble grows, so does uncertainty around an important source of California tax money.
How an AI agent can help caseworkers maintain the ‘human relationship’ with clients
In California, Riverside County is experimenting with an AI agent that aims to help caseworkers focus more on supporting public benefit recipients and less on administrative tasks.
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Why a new California law could change the way all Americans browse the internet
A new California law enhanced privacy for consumers nationwide by providing browser settings to block the sale of personal data.
‘Game on’: LA ramps up tech ahead of major sporting events
The city is set to host the World Cup, Super Bowl, Olympics and Paralympics in the coming years, and it is looking to AI to help improve its services.
California rolls out AI-powered ID verification for benefits
The state’s Employment Development Department now evaluates an applicant’s device and whether their IP address is domestic or foreign, all part of analyzing different signs of risk.
OpenAI just cut a deal with California. Critics say it’s full of holes
OpenAI is converting to a for-profit and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates have concerns.
New California law forces chatbots to protect kids’ mental health
California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved mandatory monitoring and reminders when kids use chatbots. Child advocates backed a different bill.
GIS data helps California utility prepare for increasing wildfire threats
In southern California, where water can be hard to come by, one utility is increasingly relying on GIS data to proactively prepare critical resources to combat wildfires.
Newsom just vetoed a bill to regulate license plate readers — even as fresh evidence of misuse emerges
The measure would have required regular purges of license plate databases and regularly audited how automated readers are used.
Google wasn't against this privacy bill, officially. Behind the scenes, it orchestrated opposition
Google organized business owners against California legislation to force its Chrome web browser to safeguard personal data.
California, New York could become first states to enact laws aiming to prevent catastrophic AI harm
The bills aim to define frontier AI models and regulate the developers that make them.
California cities turn to AI to streamline permitting
Lancaster and San Jose both said they would use the technology to make it easier and faster to get a building permit by pre-screening and validating applications.
