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California AI Transparency Act (SB 942, as amended by AB 853)

California’s AI Transparency Act (SB 942, chaptered 19 September 2024) requires covered providers to include a latent disclosure in AI-generated image, video or audio content and to offer an AI detection tool; AB 853 (chaptered 13 October 2025) made the chapter operative on 2 August 2026.

California, United States · Statute

From the official text

Latent disclosure

SB 942 bill text: covered providers must include a latent disclosure in AI-generated image, video or audio content.

“Include a latent disclosure in AI-generated image, video, or audio content”

Detection tool

SB 942 bill text: covered providers must make an AI detection tool available at no cost.

“Make available an AI detection tool at no cost to the user”

Operative date

AB 853 bill text: the chapter becomes operative on 2 August 2026.

“This chapter shall become operative on August 2, 2026.”

Scope and limits

  • We read the bill texts on the legislature’s site. Who counts as a “covered provider” and the exact thresholds are defined in the statute and are not summarised here.
  • AB 853 also sets later dates for large online platforms (1 January 2027) and capture-device manufacturers (1 January 2028); we did not verify the wording of those provisions.
  • Proofcan does not claim that its use satisfies this statute.

Questions

What does California AI Transparency Act (SB 942, as amended by AB 853) say about AI-generated content?
California’s AI Transparency Act (SB 942, chaptered 19 September 2024) requires covered providers to include a latent disclosure in AI-generated image, video or audio content and to offer an AI detection tool; AB 853 (chaptered 13 October 2025) made the chapter operative on 2 August 2026.
When does California AI Transparency Act (SB 942, as amended by AB 853) apply?
AB 853 bill text: the chapter becomes operative on 2 August 2026. “This chapter shall become operative on August 2, 2026.”
Does using Proofcan satisfy California AI Transparency Act (SB 942, as amended by AB 853)?
Proofcan does not claim that. It is a technical tool that adds a C2PA manifest, an invisible watermark and a registry record to images; whether that meets a legal duty is for you and your counsel to decide.

This page reports what the cited sources say on the date shown. It is not an assessment of anyone’s product, it is not legal advice, and Proofcan does not guarantee compliance. Spotted something out of date? Write to support@proofcan.com.

Sources

Page reviewed . Proofcan is a technical tool, not legal advice, and does not guarantee compliance.