California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AB 2273)
California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AB 2273) in California: challenged, effective Partially active (April 2026). Applies to Businesses meeting revenue/data thresholds. Age range: Under 18. High privacy settings by default
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Category | Age-Appropriate Design Code |
| Status | challenged |
| Effective date | Partially active (April 2026) |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | Businesses meeting revenue/data thresholds |
Key requirements
- High privacy settings by default
- Age estimation requirements
- Data protection assessments
- Prohibits harmful uses of children's data
Notes
Ninth Circuit (March 12, 2026) kept the data-use restrictions and dark-patterns ban enjoined as vague but upheld the coverage definition and sent the age-estimation provision back to the district court; mandate issued April 3, 2026. Remand proceedings on age estimation and severability continue. Legislature passed AB 2246 (August 2026) to replace the AADC with a new framework; awaiting Governor Newsom (deadline September 30, 2026).
Frequently asked
What does California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AB 2273) require?
High privacy settings by default Age estimation requirements Data protection assessments Prohibits harmful uses of children's data
Who must comply with California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AB 2273) in California?
Businesses meeting revenue/data thresholds
When does California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (AB 2273) take effect and what is its status?
Effective Partially active (April 2026). Current status: challenged. Ninth Circuit (March 12, 2026) kept the data-use restrictions and dark-patterns ban enjoined as vague but upheld the coverage definition and sent the age-estimation provision back to the district court; mandate issued April 3, 2026. Remand proceedings on age estimation and severability continue. Legislature passed AB 2246 (August 2026) to replace the AADC with a new framework; awaiting Governor Newsom (deadline September 30, 2026).
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) | California | Consumer Privacy | active | September 2025 |
| California Mental Health Warnings (AB 56) | California | Consumer Privacy | pending | January 1, 2027 |
| Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) | California | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027 |
| California Addictive Features Ban for Under-16s (AB 1709) | California | Social Media | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| Maryland Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (Kid's Code) | Maryland | Age-Appropriate Design Code | challenged | October 1, 2024 |
| Nebraska Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act (LB 504, amended by LB 838) | Nebraska | Age-Appropriate Design Code | active | January 1, 2026 (amended July 17, 2026) |
| New Jersey Kids Code Act (A 4015) | New Jersey | Age-Appropriate Design Code | pending | September 1, 2027 |
| South Carolina Age-Appropriate Code Design Act (H. 3431) | South Carolina | Age-Appropriate Design Code | challenged | February 5, 2026 |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: CCPA / CPRA policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: CCPA CPRA Compliance Bundle (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: CCPA Cybersecurity Audit & Privacy Risk Assessment Kit (ciso.diy)