NJ Bot Disclosure Act (bots must identify themselves)
New Jersey Bot Disclosure Act (N.J.S.A. 56:18-1 et seq.)
New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 56:18-1 et seq.; P.L. 2019, c.486
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- July 19, 2020
- Applies to
- Any person who uses a bot to communicate or interact with a New Jersey person for the covered commercial or electoral purposes.
- Enforced by
- New Jersey Attorney General / Division of Consumer Affairs.
New Jersey makes it unlawful to use an online bot to communicate or interact with a person in the state in order to deceive them about the bot's artificial identity, when the goal is to sell or advertise merchandise or real estate, or to solicit support for a candidate, party, or ballot question in an election. The use of the bot is allowed if it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed up front. The Attorney General enforces the law and can pursue civil penalties.
Who is protected: Persons in New Jersey interacting online with bots.
Legal detail
P.L. 2019, c.486 (codified at N.J.S.A. 56:18-1 et seq.) prohibits undisclosed use of bots to deceive a New Jersey person about artificial identity in connection with commercial transactions or election solicitation, requiring clear and conspicuous disclosure at the outset of the interaction.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | January 21, 2020 |
| Citation | N.J.S.A. 56:18-1 et seq.; P.L. 2019, c.486 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Civil penalty up to $2,500 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation; the Attorney General may also seek injunctive relief and recover investigation costs, costs of the action, and reasonable attorney fees. |
| Topics | consumer protection · AI disclosure and transparency · election deepfakes |
| Bill text | New Jersey P.L. 2019, c.486 (A4563) — Bot Disclosure Act |
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Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · In effect
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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