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
US-CA
Enacted
Sep 19, 2024
Effective
Aug 2, 2026
Enforcement
California AG, city attorneys, or county counsel
Signed September 19, 2024; effective January 1, 2026
Harms Addressed
Who Must Comply
Exemptions
Entertainment Content
high confidenceVideo game, television, streaming, movie, or interactive experiences (non-user-generated)
Conditions:
- • Entertainment content
- • Not user-generated
Text-Only Outputs
high confidenceText-only outputs excluded from disclosure requirements
Conditions:
- • Text-only output
- • No image/video/audio
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
Compliance Timeline
Jan 1, 2026
- • All provisions take effect
- • Free AI detection tool must be available
- • Latent disclosure (watermark/metadata) requirements begin
Enforcement
Enforced by
California AG, city attorneys, or county counsel
Penalties
$5K/violation
Civil penalty up to $5,000 per violation
Quick Facts
- Binding
- Yes
- Mental Health Focus
- No
- Child Safety Focus
- No
- Algorithmic Scope
- Yes
Why It Matters
Addresses deepfake/synthetic media concerns. Only applies to very large providers (1M+ threshold). Detection tool requirement is novel approach.
Recent Developments
Signed September 2024. Applies to large providers only (1M+ users). Excludes text-only outputs. Excludes video games, streaming, movies.
What You Need to Comply
Must provide free AI detection tool. Must embed latent disclosures in AI-generated image/video/audio. Must offer manifest disclosure option to users.
NOPE can helpCite This
APA
California. (2024). California AI Transparency Act (CAITA). Retrieved from https://nope.net/regs/us-ca-sb942
BibTeX
@misc{us_ca_sb942,
title = {California AI Transparency Act (CAITA)},
author = {California},
year = {2024},
url = {https://nope.net/regs/us-ca-sb942}
} Related Regulations
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