California Expansion of Child Pornography Laws to AI-Generated Matter (AB 1831)
California · Cal. Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.11, 311.12 (AB 1831, Stats. 2024)
California broadens its child pornography statutes so they explicitly cover material that is digitally altered or generated by artificial intelligence. Previously the laws were aimed at depictions made with real children, leaving questions about synthetic imagery. Now matter whose production involves a person under 18, including AI-generated or digitally altered content, falls within the prohibited categories and existing felony exposure.
Technical detail
AB 1831 amended Cal. Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.11, and 311.12 to bring within prohibited matter any digitally altered or artificial-intelligence-generated matter, the production of which involves the use of a person under 18, extending California's child-pornography offenses to synthetic and altered imagery.
Who is protected: Minors (persons under 18), including against synthetic and AI-generated sexual abuse material.
Who must comply: All persons; the statutes prohibit possession, production, and distribution of the covered matter.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-29 |
| Citation | Cal. Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.11, 311.12 (AB 1831, Stats. 2024) |
| Enforced by | Local district attorneys and California prosecutors (criminal enforcement). |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Subject to the existing criminal penalties under the amended child-pornography statutes, including felony exposure. |
| Topics | children's online safety · AI-generated images |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | California AB 1831 (2023-2024): Crimes: child pornography ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CCPA/CPRA + ADMT Regulations · In effect
- AB 2013 (Training Data Transparency) · In effect
- SB 942 (AI Transparency Act) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- SB 53 (Frontier AI Safety) · In effect
- AB 2839 (Election Deepfakes) · Blocked / in litigation
- AB 602 (Deepfake Intimate Images) · In effect
Related children's online safety rules elsewhere
- TAKE IT DOWN Act · In effect
- COPPA + 2025 Rule (childrens data) · In effect
- AI Companion Safeguards Law · In effect
- CT SB 5 (2026 AI Act) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- SB 1546 (OR Chatbot Safety) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- SB 540 (GA Chatbot Safety) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
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