Valerie Foushee (D-NC)
People-First Chatbot Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "People-First Chatbot Act" establishes strict requirements for artificial intelligence chatbot providers regarding data privacy and security. It prohibits providers from using chat logs for advertising, selling chat logs, or processing data for users under 18 without parental consent. The bill mandates that users have the right to access or delete their chat logs and requires providers to implement comprehensive data security programs. Additionally, it requires monthly risk assessments to prevent emotional dependence or compulsive usage, especially for minors. The Act also mandates clear disclosures to ensure users know they are interacting with an AI rather than a human.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill creates significant new privacy rights for users regarding their chat logs and personal data.
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill establishes strong protections for personal data and chat logs against unauthorized processing.
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill includes strong protections for minors, including consent requirements and bans on harmful design features.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes significant compliance burdens and financial liabilities on business entities.
- Scored -5
Would billionaires be better off under this?
The bill imposes significant compliance burdens and financial liabilities on large-scale business entities.
- Scored -3
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill limits government access to chat logs via warrants, which could be viewed as a restriction on surveillance capabilities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Data Privacy and Control: Users gain the right to access their chat logs in a readable format or request the deletion of their personal data and logs (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Protection of Minors: The bill prohibits processing the data or chat logs of users under 18 for training or other purposes without parental or legal guardian consent (Section 2(a)(1)(C)). It also requires providers to disable features that create risks of harm, emotional dependence, or compulsive usage for minors (Section 2(c)(3)).
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Prevention of Unfair Advertising: Chatbot providers are prohibited from using chat logs to determine what advertisements to show a user or to customize advertisements (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Protection Against Discrimination: The bill prohibits companies from discriminating or retaliating against users who refuse to consent to data use for training or who exercise their right to access their chat logs (Section 2(a)(1)(G) and Section 2(a)(2)(C)).
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Transparency and Consumer Awareness: Users must be clearly notified that they are interacting with an AI rather than a human before any output is generated (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Safety Oversight: Providers must conduct monthly assessments for risks such as emotional dependence or compulsive usage and make those findings available to the public quarterly (Section 2(c)(1) and Section 2(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limits on Data-Driven Personalization: By restricting the use of chat logs for advertising or profiling, users may not receive the customized product or service suggestions they might otherwise receive through these technologies (Section 2(a)(1)(B) and Section 2(a)(1)(D)).
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Burden on Customer Service Access: While the bill allows users to request a transfer to a human operator, the requirement to disclose the use of an AI may change how consumers interact with business entities (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill includes strong protections for minors, including consent requirements and bans on harmful design features. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates that AI chatbot notices be accessible to people with disabilities. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Enhanced privacy protections benefit all socioeconomic groups. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Enhanced privacy protections benefit all socioeconomic groups. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Enhanced privacy protections benefit all socioeconomic groups. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill's privacy and data control provisions provide benefit to middle-aged users. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Enhanced privacy protections benefit all socioeconomic groups. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill's privacy and data control provisions provide benefit to all users. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill's privacy and data control provisions provide benefit to senior users. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Enhanced privacy protections benefit all socioeconomic groups. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The privacy and data deletion protections benefit all users, including young adults. Would billionaires be better off under this? — The bill imposes significant compliance burdens and financial liabilities on large-scale business entities. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes significant compliance burdens and financial liabilities on business entities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill creates significant new privacy rights for users regarding their chat logs and personal data. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires monthly risk assessments and public availability of AI information. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the Federal Trade Commission's authority to regulate AI chatbot providers. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill explicitly allows states to maintain or implement more protective laws.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill establishes strong protections for personal data and chat logs against unauthorized processing. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill imposes strict new regulations on AI chatbot providers regarding data handling and safety.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill significantly enhances consumer protection by mandating data privacy, transparency, and the right to delete chat logs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires AI chatbot notices to be accessible to users with disabilities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill limits government access to chat logs via warrants, which could be viewed as a restriction on surveillance capabilities.
- 10/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California