NY Governor Hochul defends teen social media limits and AI regulation stance

New York Governor Kathy Hochul addressed several major technology policy issues in an extensive interview, arguing that the state's regulatory actions are meant to protect residents rather than stifle industry growth.

Meta settlement on teen protections

Meta recently reached a settlement with dozens of states, including New York, agreeing to specific restrictions on how teenagers can use platforms like Instagram. Hochul voiced support for these measures, citing existing rules such as a ban on nighttime notifications to minors, automatic privacy settings, and limits on AI chatbot access for young users. She dismissed concerns that such rules could raise First Amendment issues, distinguishing between government-imposed speech restrictions and measures aimed at protecting minors' mental health. She acknowledged that age verification requirements tied to these protections mean adults will also need to show identification to use affected platforms, reducing online anonymity.

Ghost guns and other topics

Hochul also discussed the state's ban on 3D-printed gun parts, often called "ghost guns," which is being contested by activists, including Cody Wilson, who runs a large database of 3D-printable firearm files and has altered them to demonstrate what he says are loopholes in the law. The interview additionally touched on the use of Flock surveillance cameras and the politics of AI data centers. In July, Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction, and she is now considering what conditions would need to be met for such projects to resume once the moratorium expires.

Economic backdrop

Hochul noted that New York has become the top state for tech job creation in the country, surpassing California, and said companies continue to invest and expand in the state despite its regulatory measures.