AB 2246 Replaces California's Age-Appropriate Design Code on January 1, 2027
What changed
AB 2246 (Chapter 187, Statutes of 2026) repeals California's Age-Appropriate Design Code Act and replaces it with similar rules, without the old act's exceptions, for online services, products and features likely to be accessed by children. Covered businesses must take reasonable steps to prevent specified risks of harm to children, a child can void contract terms that resulted from a design feature, and the Attorney General or a public prosecutor can sue. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
Who it applies to
Businesses whose online services, products or features are likely to be accessed by children under 18 in California.
Key dates
- Effective date:
- January 1, 2027
New child data-privacy and harm-prevention requirements take effect for covered online services.
What employers may need to do
- Take reasonable steps to prevent the risks of harm to children the law specifies, by January 1, 2027.
- Stop collecting, selling, sharing or retaining personal information that is not necessary to provide the online service, product or feature; the old act's exceptions no longer apply.
Official source
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2246Detected by RegWatch monitoring on September 11, 2026. Always confirm details against the official source above — this page is a summary, not legal advice.
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