California is a topic tracked in our intelligence system with 5 linked articles.
Global push for age verification is accelerating into mandatory identity verification at app-store/os levels, with major privacy, surveillance, and regulatory implications for platforms and users.
California Assembly passes AB 1921 'Protect Our Games Act' to require post-service access or refunds for digitally sold games, with 60 days' termination notice; not enacted yet and faces Senate/governor approval.
Illinois passes SB 315, mandating independent third-party safety audits for frontier AI labs, potentially making it the strongest state-level AI safety regime and shaping future federal policy.
Colorado and California exempt open source from age attestation.
Massachusetts certifies the App Drivers Union as the first officially recognized ride-share union in the US, representing about 70,000 Uber/Lyft drivers under a state framework approved by voters in 2024, with backing from SEIU affiliates and IAM, signaling regulatory risk and potential wage/benefit costs for platforms.
Canada is quietly losing top talent to the U.S., driven by higher taxes and a lagging business- and investment-climate, with policy focus needed to improve competitiveness.
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