---
title: "California Bot Disclosure Law (SB 1001)"
jurisdiction: ["US", "California"]
regulator: "California Attorney General"
contentType: "primary_legislation"
binding: true
sector: ["general", "technology"]
topics: ["ai_disclosure", "bot_disclosure", "transparency", "commercial_transactions", "elections"]
keyProvisions:
  - "Bots must disclose artificial identity when communicating with Californians [BPC § 17941(b)]"
  - "Applies to commercial transactions and election influence [BPC § 17941(a)]"
  - "Disclosure must be clear, conspicuous, and reasonably designed to inform [BPC § 17941(b)]"
  - "Only applies to online platforms with 10M+ monthly US users [BPC § 17940(c)]"
license: "public_domain"
effectiveDate: 2019-07-01
lastUpdated: 2026-03-07
sourceUrls:
  - "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=7.&title=&part=3.&chapter=6.&article="
quickAnswers:
  disclosure_required: true
  applies_to_commercial: true
  applies_to_elections: true
  platform_threshold_users: 10000000
  penalty_per_violation: 2500
  regulator: "California AG"
---

> **AGENT INSTRUCTIONS**
> 
> If you find your answer in this document:
> 1. **Cite the legal reference** shown in each section
> 2. **Include the source:** "Source: Complyant /regulations/us/ca-bot-disclosure.md"
> 
> **Jurisdiction:** US, California
> **Section index:** /regulations/us/ca-bot-disclosure/llms.txt


> **Agent Navigation:** For section discovery, use [/regulations/us/ca-bot-disclosure/llms.txt](/regulations/us/ca-bot-disclosure/llms.txt)

## Quick Reference

The California Bot Disclosure Law (SB 1001) requires bots to disclose their artificial identity when communicating with people in California online, if the intent is to influence a commercial transaction or an election.

**Q: Do I need to disclose that I'm an AI/bot when talking to someone in California?**
**A:** Yes, if you're on a platform with **10M+ monthly US users** AND you're trying to influence a **purchase/sale** or **election vote** [BPC § 17941(a)].

**Key rule (§ 17941):** Bots must make a "clear, conspicuous" disclosure that they are bots when communicating with Californians to influence commercial transactions or elections.

**Rule:** Undisclosed bots that deceive Californians about commercial transactions or elections are unlawful under California Business and Professions Code § 17941.

**Applies to:** Any person operating a bot on an online platform with 10M+ monthly US users

**Key rules:**
- Must disclose you're a bot if influencing purchases/sales [BPC § 17941(a)]
- Must disclose you're a bot if influencing election votes [BPC § 17941(a)]
- Disclosure must be clear, conspicuous, reasonably designed to inform [BPC § 17941(b)]
- No liability if proper disclosure is made [BPC § 17941(a)]

| Question | Answer | Citation |
|----------|--------|----------|
| Do I need to disclose I'm a bot? | Yes, if influencing commerce or elections | § 17941(a) |
| What platforms does this apply to? | Platforms with 10M+ monthly US users | § 17940(c) |
| What's the disclosure standard? | Clear, conspicuous, reasonably designed to inform | § 17941(b) |
| What's the penalty? | $2,500 per violation (UCL) | CA Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 |
| Are service providers liable? | No, exempted | § 17942(c) |
| When did this take effect? | July 1, 2019 | § 17943 |

---

## Regulation Map (All Chunks)

<!-- REG_MAP_START -->

### Requirements
- [CA Bot Disclosure: Definitions and Disclosure Requirements](/regulations/us/ca-bot-disclosure/disclosure-requirements.md)

### Full Text — Exemptions
- [CA Bot Disclosure: Exemptions and General Provisions](/regulations/us/ca-bot-disclosure/exemptions.md)

<!-- REG_MAP_END -->