California/page/2 news and trends

California Tests Whether AI Can Cross Professional Licensing Lines

September 15, 2026
California Starts Regulating the People Who Audit AI
Legal & Regulation // September 11, 2026

California has moved beyond requiring companies to examine the risks of artificial intelligence and has begun regulating the people hired to perform those examinations. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content —...

California Moves Into Federal Consumer Protection Void Under Chopra
Legal & Regulation // August 28, 2026

California is positioning itself to fill the regulatory space left by Washington’s retreat from consumer financial oversight, with former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra bringing his enforcement philosophy to the nation’s largest state economy. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock...

California Gives Ex-CFPB Chief Chopra Broad Consumer Enforcement Role
Legal & Regulation // August 03, 2026

California is launching a new cabinet-level agency that state officials say will consolidate consumer protection and business oversight of practices that increase costs for consumers and undermine fair competition. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

California to Consider Temporary Ban on Toys Equipped With AI-Powered Chatbots
Artificial Intelligence // January 06, 2026

California State Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced a bill Monday (Jan. 5) that would prohibit the manufacture and sale of toys that include an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Interviews & Exclusives
California’s Fast Food Restaurants Prepare for Automation, Closures After Wage Law

September 06, 2022
On Monday (Sept. 5), California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Bill AB-257, which will set higher wage requirements for fast food workers as well as enact standards related to “health, safety, and welfare.” Fast food restaurants have been pushing back against this bill since it was first proposed, and the effects of these changes […]

California Crypto Bill Would Be as Tough as New York’s BitLicense, Critics Say

September 01, 2022
With a comprehensive crypto licensing bill awaiting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature, the U.S.’s largest market has jumped into the fight over consumer protection and innovation that is dominating federal...

What Uber And Lyft’s Court Loss Means For The Gig Economy’s Future

August 12, 2020
A California judge this week ordered Uber and Lyft to stop classifying their workers as independent contractors and start classifying them as employees, an order the two firms have 10 days...

Is There A ‘Third Way’ For Uber and Other Gig-Economy Firms To Classify Workers?

August 11, 2020
For gig-economy companies, is it time to make way for the third way? Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Quick Reads
California to Consider Temporary Ban on Toys Equipped With AI-Powered Chatbots

January 06, 2026
California State Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced a bill Monday (Jan. 5) that would prohibit the manufacture and sale of toys that include an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to […]

California Tops States for AI and Social Platforms Accountability Rules

October 23, 2025
California has passed a series of artificial intelligence and social-media bills establishing the nation’s most extensive state-level safeguards for minors and requiring AI developers to disclose their training data. Get...

California Takes Trump to Court Over ‘Chaotic’ Tariffs

April 16, 2025
California is set to become the first state to sue President Donald Trump over his tariffs. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited...

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Uber and Lyft Gig Worker Appeal

October 07, 2024
Uber and Lyft have lost a chance to have an appeal heard by the Supreme Court. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited...