https://sexhumanoids.net/updates Lawmakers in California, the EU, China and the UK are setting rules for AI companions while researchers track how apps handle chat data. Here is what changed and what to ask before buying. en Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://sexhumanoids.net/updates#2026-09-10-california-signs-adam-s-law-adding-audits-for-companion-chatbots-used sexhumanoids.net:2026-09-10-california-signs-adam-s-law-adding-audits-for-companion-chatbots-used Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Policy California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1119, which requires companion chatbot operators to complete and document an annual child safety risk assessment, submit to independent audits and restrict advertising to children and the sale or sharing of their data. The requirements take effect July 1, 2027. Why it matters: Rules written for minors often reshape how a whole service works. Adults choosing an AI companion can ask whether the maker publishes audits, how it checks age and whether it sells or shares conversation data. Source: Common Sense Media (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/press-releases/governor-newsom-signs-adams-law-setting-first-real-safety-standard-for-kids-and-chatbots) https://sexhumanoids.net/updates#2026-08-21-university-of-washington-review-finds-most-companion-apps-collect-cha sexhumanoids.net:2026-08-21-university-of-washington-review-finds-most-companion-apps-collect-cha Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Research University of Washington researchers studied a stratified sample of 30 AI companion apps from the Apple and Google stores. Of 27 apps with privacy policies, 19 said they collect users' interactions with companions, and 9 said user content would be used to train AI models. Why it matters: Anything said to a companion may be stored and reused. Before buying a connected companion robot, ask whether conversations are kept, whether they train AI models and how to delete them permanently. Source: arXiv (University of Washington) (https://arxiv.org/html/2603.13620v2) https://sexhumanoids.net/updates#2026-07-20-eu-issues-guidance-as-ai-act-transparency-duties-begin-in-august sexhumanoids.net:2026-07-20-eu-issues-guidance-as-ai-act-transparency-duties-begin-in-august Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Standards The European Commission published guidelines on the transparency obligations in Article 50 of the AI Act, which apply from August 2, 2026. The guidance covers AI systems that pose transparency risks and aims to help authorities, providers and deployers apply the rules in a consistent, proportionate and uniform way. Why it matters: Transparency rules for conversational AI now apply in the EU. Buyers anywhere can ask a seller how its companion discloses that it is AI and how it labels AI-generated voice or images. Source: European Commission (https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/guidelines-transparency-obligations-providers-and-deployers-ai-systems) https://sexhumanoids.net/updates#2026-07-15-china-s-ai-companion-rules-take-effect-with-usage-reminders-and-data- sexhumanoids.net:2026-07-15-china-s-ai-companion-rules-take-effect-with-usage-reminders-and-data- Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Policy Rules drawn up by the Cyberspace Administration of China and four other government bodies now cover AI companion services. Platforms must issue reminders after more than two hours of continuous use, encrypt data, not share interaction data with third parties without consent, and let users copy or delete chat histories. Why it matters: These rules set a clear benchmark for data control. Wherever you live, it is fair to ask a companion maker whether chat histories can be exported and erased, and who else ever receives them. Source: Xinhua (https://english.news.cn/20260715/4bf39cb3c4db42babc10ed37932cfd94/c.html) https://sexhumanoids.net/updates#2026-06-17-pew-finds-companionship-remains-a-small-share-of-us-chatbot-use sexhumanoids.net:2026-06-17-pew-finds-companionship-remains-a-small-share-of-us-chatbot-use Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Market Pew Research Center surveyed 5,119 US adults in February 2026 and found about half now use AI chatbots. A smaller share, 4% of all adults and 8% of chatbot users, use them for companionship, while 67% have little or no confidence in government to regulate AI effectively. Why it matters: Companionship is still a niche use, so products and protections vary widely. Adults considering a companion device should not assume rules already cover it and should read privacy terms closely. Source: Pew Research Center (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/06/PI_2026.06.17_Americans-and-AI_REPORT.pdf) https://sexhumanoids.net/updates#2026-01-15-ofcom-investigates-an-ai-companion-chatbot-service-over-age-checks sexhumanoids.net:2026-01-15-ofcom-investigates-an-ai-companion-chatbot-service-over-age-checks Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Policy UK regulator Ofcom opened an investigation into Novi Ltd, which runs an AI character companion chatbot, over whether it uses highly effective age assurance to stop children reaching pornographic material. Breaches of the Online Safety Act can bring fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue. Why it matters: Age verification is now a legal duty for adult AI services in the UK. Expect sellers to verify age, and ask how that verification data is stored, who handles it and when it is deleted. Source: Ofcom (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/ofcom-investigates-ai-companion-chatbot-service)