Oregon law sets disclosure and safety rules for AI companions

Operators must clearly tell users when they are interacting with AI rather than a person. This covers operators offering AI companions or companion platforms to users in Oregon. The notice is required when a reasonable person would believe they are interacting with a person.

Operators must use a protocol to detect suicidal or self-harm messages and prevent content that encourages suicide or self-harm. These duties apply to operators offering AI companions or companion platforms to users in Oregon. The protocol must refer users to the 988 crisis lifeline; if the operator identifies a user as under 25, it may instead offer an accredited youth peer-support line. The protocol must use clinical best practices for further intervention if the user continues to express suicidal or self-harm thoughts after receiving referrals. Operators must publish protocol details online.

Operators must take reasonable steps to limit misleading, sexual, and manipulative interactions with minors. These protections apply to minor users of AI companions or companion platforms in Oregon. These duties apply when an operator knows or has reason to believe a user is a minor. The companion must disclose that it is AI and remind the user at least every three hours to take a break. Operators must take reasonable steps to prevent simulated romantic or sexual behavior, sexual content involving minors, manipulative engagement tactics, and material misrepresentations.

Operators must post annual crisis-referral reports, and injured users may sue for damages and a court order. The reporting duty applies to operators; the right to sue applies to people injured by an operator's violation. Reports must not identify individuals. A person may sue only if an operator's violation caused a loss of money or property, or another actual injury. A court may award a winning plaintiff attorney fees and costs. Each report is due by December 31 and covers referrals made during the preceding calendar year.