Senior Chatbot Protection Act of 2026

The Senior Chatbot Protection Act of 2026 establishes safety and transparency rules for artificial intelligence chatbots used by older adults in the United States. It requires companies to clearly disclose that their chatbots are not human beings or licensed professionals and mandates specific warnings when the chatbot offers advice on high-stakes matters like healthcare or finances. The law also forces chatbots to detect signs of crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, and immediately refer users to human support services while prohibiting the AI from giving dangerous medical or self-harm advice. Additionally, the bill restricts how user conversations are stored and processed, requiring affirmative consent for data training and giving users the ability to delete their chat history. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission, which can impose penalties for violations, while the National Institutes of Standards and Technology will develop voluntary guidelines for safe AI design.