What It Does
Florida SB 1344 regulates companion AI chatbots — conversational AI systems designed for ongoing social or emotional interaction with users. The law requires operators to implement mandatory user account creation and age verification before granting access to companion AI services. Operators must verify the age of every user and take prescribed actions when a user is identified as a minor, including restricting access to certain features. The law also mandates that operators protect the confidentiality of age verification data. Violations are classified as deceptive and unfair trade practices under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). The law took effect July 1, 2025.
Who It Applies To
SB 1344 applies to any operator of a companion AI chatbot that is accessible to Florida users. “Operator” covers companies that develop, deploy, or maintain AI chatbot services designed for ongoing conversational interaction. This includes consumer-facing chatbot platforms, AI companion apps, and social AI services. Size thresholds are not specified — the law applies regardless of company size. If your AI chatbot is accessible in Florida, you are covered.
Key Provisions
- Mandatory account creation: Operators must require users to create an account before accessing companion AI chatbot services.
- Age verification: Operators must verify each user’s age and take specified actions if the user is identified as a minor, including restricting features or access.
- Data confidentiality: Age verification information must be protected; operators face liability for unauthorized disclosure.
- FDUTPA enforcement: Violations are treated as deceptive and unfair trade practices, exposing operators to civil penalties, injunctive relief, and private lawsuits.
- No minor exception: The law does not exempt operators who claim they do not target minors — verification is required regardless of the platform’s intended audience.
Compliance Checklist
If you operate a companion AI chatbot accessible in Florida, you should have already completed these steps (the law is in effect):
- Implement user account creation as a prerequisite to accessing the chatbot service.
- Deploy age verification that meets the law’s requirements, including handling for identified minors.
- Audit data handling practices for age verification information to ensure confidentiality protections are in place.
- Review terms of service to reflect the new requirements and disclose age verification practices.
- Train customer support teams on minor-access restrictions and escalation procedures.
How This Compares
Florida SB 1344 is one of the first state laws to specifically target companion AI chatbots. Unlike broad AI transparency laws like Washington HB 1170, SB 1344 focuses exclusively on social and emotional AI interactions with age verification at its center. It parallels Tennessee’s CHAT Act in addressing conversational AI risks to minors, but Florida’s approach is centered on account creation and verification rather than content restrictions.
Effective Date Status
In effect since July 1, 2025. As of April 2026, this law is fully operative. Operators who have not yet implemented age verification and account creation requirements are already out of compliance and face enforcement under FDUTPA.
Read the Bill
Author: AI Laws by State. This is not legal advice. For compliance questions specific to your operation, consult an attorney licensed in Florida.