Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued a statement on May 1, 2026, following final passage of bipartisan legislation to combat youth social media addiction and regulate artificial intelligence harms. The legislation imposes new requirements on social media companies regarding minor users, including parental consent for addictive algorithms, default privacy settings, and annual reporting obligations. It also establishes rules for AI chat bots and automated employment decision tools, including disclosure requirements and self-harm detection protocols.
The legislation requires social media companies to obtain parental consent for addictive algorithms and notifications targeting minors, implement default privacy and usage settings including barred late-night notifications, display mental health warning pop-ups to minor users, and submit annual reports on minor user data to the state. AI chat bot operators must provide disclosures that users are communicating with AI, implement self-harm detection protocols, and restrict minor access to bots offering mental health services. Employers using automated decision technology must disclose such use in employment decisions and note AI-related layoffs in state notifications.
In-house legal teams at social media platforms, AI chat bot operators, and employers using automated decision tools should review customer terms of service, vendor agreements for AI tools, and employment contracts to ensure compliance with the new Connecticut legislation. Social media companies must update privacy policies and user agreements to include parental consent requirements for algorithmic content targeting minors, default privacy and usage settings for minor accounts, and mandatory mental health warning pop-ups. AI operators should add clauses requiring clear disclosures of AI interaction, self-harm detection protocols, and restrictions on minor access to mental health-related bots in their terms of service and vendor contracts. Employers must include disclosure clauses in employment agreements and vendor contracts for AI hiring tools, noting the use of automated decision technology in employment decisions and layoff notifications. All covered entities should review reporting obligations to ensure vendor agreements require provision of data needed for annual state reporting on minor users.
Entity
Office of the Attorney General William Tong
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2026-press-releases/statement-on-final-passage-of-legislation-to-combat-youth-social-media-addiction
office of the attorney general ai advisory.pdf?rev=1b393e0f5
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2026/office-of-the-attorney-general---ai-advisory.pdf?rev=1b393e0f5a2e4eccb19642e4520773bd&hash=0EB1AB8FF586C129315C292974C9A27A
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
"Office of the Attorney General William Tong"
"05/01/2026"
"Connecticut"
"final passage of state legislation"
"prohibit social media companies from exposing minors to harmful and addictive algorithms and notifications without parental consent"
"disclosure requirements related to use of automated decision technology in employment decisions"
Attorney General Tong and a coalition of 21 attorneys general and Pennsylvania filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA, and DHS to block demands for the personal information of 17 million CDL drivers. The lawsuits allege violations of federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act, and seek an emergency order to prevent the data transfer.
Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 10 attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging a new OCC rule that preempts state laws requiring national banks to pay interest on homeowners' mortgage escrow accounts. The lawsuit argues the OCC ignored federal court decisions and bypassed safeguards, and seeks to block the rule.
Attorney General Tong joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in sending letters to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board, urging them to deny Opportunity Financial's application to acquire BNC National Bank. The merger would grant OppFi a national bank charter, allowing it to circumvent state lending laws and charge triple-digit interest rates, posing risks to consumers and the banking system.
The court granted the States' motion finding that Nexstar violated the preliminary injunction by placing current or former Nexstar executives on TEGNA's Board of Directors. The court ordered regular reporting to the States and appointed a special master to oversee compliance.
Attorney General William Tong co-led a coalition of 34 attorneys general in a letter to congressional leaders urging them to preserve the federal redefinition of hemp and reject efforts to weaken reforms addressing intoxicating hemp-derived products. The coalition warns that reopening the loophole would create regulatory uncertainty, compromise public safety, and allow unregulated intoxicating hemp products to return to the marketplace.
$400.0M
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined a coalition of 43 states and territories in announcing a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz Inc. to resolve allegations that the generic drug manufacturer engaged in conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. Sandoz will pay approximately $469 million total including prior settlements, and has agreed to injunctive terms and internal reforms.