2026-08-02 · US-CA · in force now
Generative AI system providers with over 1 million monthly users accessible in California must now offer a free AI-detection tool and apply disclosures to AI-generated content. No future deadline; the obligation is operative.
What it requires
Covered providers must make available a free tool that detects AI-generated content. They must also apply both latent and manifest disclosures to content their systems generate. Latent disclosures are embedded markers detectable by automated systems; manifest disclosures are visible notices to end users. The obligation applies now and is not deferred.
Who it binds
Generative AI system providers—companies that operate or offer generative AI systems—are bound if their systems reach over 1 million monthly users who can access them from California. Product teams, compliance officers, and privacy leads at affected providers own implementation. Engineering must build or integrate the detection tool; content teams must ensure disclosure metadata is applied.
How to check whether you comply
Determine your generative AI system's monthly active user count in California using your analytics platform or user-access logs.
Audit your current AI-generated content to verify both latent (machine-readable) and manifest (human-visible) disclosures are applied.
Verify you operate or have integrated a free AI-detection tool accessible to California users without paywall or registration barrier.
Check the California Legislative Information website for SB 942 text to confirm scope and definitions specific to your product.
What teams get wrong
This obligation is already in effect—there is no grace period or future compliance date. Teams often defer because they assume AI regulation applies only to future releases. Verify your user count now: if you exceed 1 million monthly users in California, you are covered. The distinction between latent and manifest disclosures is critical; both are required, not one or the other.
This is one of 17 dated AI obligations we track
This one is already in force. There are 16 others across the EU, UK, and US, and they do not arrive in a convenient order. The AI Compliance Deadline Radar lists every one of them with a live countdown.
Get The AI Reg Brief — free. Twice a month, three minutes. Every issue leads with a countdown to the next deadline that binds you, so the one about to land finds you rather than the other way round.
California AI Transparency Act (SB 942) — platform duties — US-CA, 2027-01-01
CCPA regulations — ADMT compliance — US-CA, 2027-01-01
Transparency in Frontier AI Act (SB 53) — US-CA, 2026-01-01
Source
Not legal advice. This summarizes a public source so you can act on it; verify against the primary text before you rely on it.