SB 942 · § 22757.3(a)
The SB 942 latent disclosure, field by field
Updated 16 October 2026. Bus. & Prof. Code, Chapter 25 (§ 22757 et seq.), as amended by AB 853, SB 1000 and AB 2713. Last change: SB 1000 and AB 2713 signed, 30 September 2026.
Where technically feasible, image, video and audio your system creates or alters must carry a hidden disclosure, directly or via a link to a permanent website.
- Provider name
- Example Labs Inc.
- System name and version
- ExampleGen 3.1
- Time and date created or altered
- 2026-10-16 14:02 UTC
- Unique identifier
- c7f2 91ab 04de 5e10
- Created or altered
- Created SB 1000
- Assistive technology
- No From 2029
- Permanent, or extraordinarily difficult to remove
- Readable by your verification tool
- Meets or interoperates with widely recognized industry standards
Statute wording§ 22757.3(a), as amended by SB 1000
To the extent it is technically feasible, a covered provider must include a latent disclosure in image, video or audio content created or altered by its system, except by minor modification. The disclosure may convey the required information directly or through a link to a permanent internet website. SB 1000 deleted the former duty to offer users the option of a manifest (visible) disclosure.
The latent disclosure must convey(A) The name of the covered provider. (B) The name and version number of the generative AI system that created or altered the content. (C) The time and date the content was created or altered. (D) A unique identifier for the content. (E) Whether the generative AI system created or altered the content (added by SB 1000). (F) From 1 January 2029: whether the system is designed primarily as assistive technology.
The statute requires the latent disclosure to be permanent or extraordinarily difficult to remove or tamper with, compatible with the provider's disclosure verification tool, and compliant or interoperable with widely recognized industry standards. Provenance data and digital signatures on large online platforms are addressed separately, under the duties AB 853 added and AB 2713 amended.
Compared with the EU AI ActBecause the latent disclosure must identify the covered provider and the system, SB 942's payload is specific about content, unlike Article 50(2) of the EU AI Act, which requires machine-readable marking and detectability but does not specify fields.
Common questions
What must the SB 942 latent disclosure contain?
The name of the covered provider; the name and version number of the system that created or altered the content; the time and date it was created or altered; a unique identifier; and, added by SB 1000, whether the system created or altered it. From 1 January 2029 it must also say whether the system is designed primarily as assistive technology.
Does SB 942 require a visible AI label?
No. SB 1000 deleted the former duty to offer users the option of a manifest (visible) disclosure. The required disclosure is latent.
Can the latent disclosure be a link instead of the data itself?
Yes. The disclosure may convey the required information directly or through a link to a permanent internet website.
Does the latent disclosure apply to AI-generated text?
Section 22757.3(a) applies the latent disclosure to image, video or audio content created or altered by the system, except by minor modification.
Other sections
Who is covered
Anyone producing a generative AI system the public can use in California, whatever its size. The exemptions are narrow.
Who is covered → § 22757.2, § 22757.3(b)Verification tool and licensees
The free tool anyone can use to check your content, and the 72-hour licensee clock.
Tool and licensees → AB 853, AB 2713Platforms, hosts and capture devices
Duties for large online platforms and GenAI hosting platforms from 2027, and capture device makers from 2028.
AB 853 duties → ComparisonSB 942 vs EU AI Act
The California and EU marking rules row by row: who, what, labels, detection, dates and penalties.
Side by side → TimelineDates and penalties
Every operative date from 2024 to 2029, and the $5,000 per day civil penalty.
Dates and penalties →