CA SB 942
California AI Transparency Act (CAITA)
Requires large GenAI providers (1M+ monthly users) to provide free AI detection tools, embed latent disclosures (watermarks/metadata) in AI-generated content, and offer optional manifest (visible) disclosures to users.
Jurisdiction
California
Enacted
Sep 19, 2024
Effective
Aug 2, 2026
Enforcement
California AG, city attorneys, or county counsel
Signed September 19, 2024 (Stats. 2024, Ch. 291). Original operative date of January 1, 2026 was extended to August 2, 2026 by AB 853 (Stats. 2025, Ch. 674, Sec. 6), which is the date substantive obligations actually apply.
CA LegislatureWhy It Matters
Addresses deepfake/synthetic media concerns. Only applies to very large providers (1M+ threshold). Detection tool requirement is novel approach.
Recent Developments
AB 853 (signed 2025, effective January 1, 2026) amended Bus. & Prof. Code section 22757.6 to push the operative date from January 1, 2026 to August 2, 2026, delaying when covered providers must have the AI detection tool and latent-disclosure requirements live. That operative date arrived August 2, 2026.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Requires
Who Must Comply
- Covered providers (GenAI systems with >1 million monthly users publicly accessible in California)
Obligations fall on:
Applicability thresholds:
Safety Provisions
- Free publicly accessible AI detection tool
- Latent disclosures (imperceptible metadata/watermarks) with system info, provider name, creation date
- User option for manifest disclosures (visible labels/watermarks)
- Third-party licensees must maintain disclosure capabilities
- License cancellation within 96 hours if licensee disables disclosures
- User feedback collection on detection tool efficacy
Exemptions
Entertainment Content
Video game, television, streaming, movie, or interactive experiences (non-user-generated)
- • Entertainment content
- • Not user-generated
Text-Only Outputs
Text-only outputs excluded from disclosure requirements
- • Text-only output
- • No image/video/audio
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Aug 2, 2026
All provisions become operative (date extended from original January 1, 2026 by AB 853)
Free AI detection tool must be available
Latent disclosure (watermark/metadata) requirements begin
Penalties
$5K/violation
View on map
California
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
California. (2024). California AI Transparency Act (CAITA).
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AR HB 1071
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Last updated August 2, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.