Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: US states roll out major tech laws covering AI and privacy in 2026 in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
Happy New Year! As Americans ring in 2026, a new set of technology laws is going live across the country.
According to a recent The Verge roundup, dozens of technology-related laws took effect across the United States on January 1, with more arriving in the months ahead.
These laws touch nearly every corner of digital life, from artificial intelligence and social media to data privacy, crypto protections, and the right to repair everyday electronics. And they share a common origin.
After another year of congressional gridlock, state legislatures moved ahead on their own, filling policy gaps that Washington has left open for years.
States step in
One of the clearest signals from 2026 is that states are no longer waiting for Congress to act on tech regulation.
California has positioned itself as the most ambitious testing ground.
New laws now require major AI developers to publish safety and security information and protect employees who raise internal concerns.
Other measures require law enforcement agencies to clearly disclose their use of AI tools and impose guardrails on companion-style chatbots, particularly when minors are involved.
Beyond California, other states are experimenting with narrower but consequential rules.
Nevada has moved to regulate AI-generated political content, while Texas is enforcing a framework that bans certain harmful or discriminatory uses of artificial intelligence.
At the same time, courts have temporarily blocked Texas from implementing a high-profile app store age verification rule, setting the stage for continued legal battles.
Repair access and crypto protections
Not all of the most impactful changes are tied to AI. Right-to-repair laws in Colorado and Washington are now in force, requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation needed to fix a wide range of consumer electronics.
The goal is to reduce electronic waste and give consumers more control over the devices they own.
Colorado is also targeting cryptocurrency ATMs, which have become a major vector for scams.
New rules impose transaction limits and introduce refund protections for first-time users, particularly when funds are sent outside the United States.
Lawmakers see these measures as a way to blunt fraud without banning the machines outright.
Several states are implementing new data privacy frameworks in 2026, including Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island.
These laws offer consumers rights to access, correct, or delete personal data, but privacy advocates argue they leave companies with broad latitude to continue collecting information.
Other states have taken more focused approaches. Illinois now allows certain public officials to request the removal of personal details such as home addresses and information about their children, responding to growing concerns about harassment and online targeting.
Social media and app ecosystems are also facing increased scrutiny.
Virginia has introduced daily usage limits for minors on social platforms, while Maine now requires subscription cancellations to be as simple as signing up.
Utah and Texas are pursuing app store age verification requirements, though court challenges may determine how those laws are ultimately enforced.
Additional rules are still ahead. New York’s AI law takes effect in March, followed by delayed enforcement provisions of the federal Take It Down Act in May.
By the end of the year, more states are expected to join the growing patchwork of tech regulation. (The Verge)
Taken together, 2026 is shaping up as a year defined less by sweeping federal reform and more by steady, state-driven change that is already altering how technology works in everyday life.