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What would the FTC’s AI accuracy policy mean for state chatbot laws?

Historical consensus 2026-08-11 Active
Runs Weekly on Tuesday at 09:00 (Europe/Berlin) Last 2026-09-01 09:19 Europe/Berlin Next 2026-09-08 09:00 Europe/Berlin

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Agreement over time

90/100
2026-07-21: 80/100 · Restated, not moved: The new version sharpens phrasing (e.g., "not automatically wipe out" vs "not automatically invalidate"), adds explicit emphasis on "algorithmic discrimination / disparate-impact duties" as a target, reorganizes content into bullet lists for readability, and slightly broadens the "less likely to be affected" category. Core conclusions, examples, and qualifications are materially identical. 2026-07-28: 64/100 · Rephrased and condensed with minor structural and citation differences; core conclusions on preemption, output-steering risks, and viability of disclosure/safety laws remain identical. 2026-08-04: 90/100 · Restated, not moved: The new consensus clarifies that the FTC policy is a proposed policy statement rather than a final rule and explicitly notes that state law compliance is not automatically a defense against federal deception claims. The overall conclusions regarding which state laws are vulnerable versus safe remain consistent. 2026-08-11: 90/100 · No material movement 2026-08-18: 90/100 · No material movement 2026-08-25: 75/100 · The update expands on details, structure, and legal nuance (such as distinguishing safety controls from deceptive manipulation and detailing preemption litigation factors), but the core conclusions and legal assessments remain identical. 2026-09-01: 90/100 · No material movement View full chart
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90 /100
agreement
  • 3 AI models
  • 0 contradictions
  • 28 sources
Consensus OpenAI GPT-5.4 mini
Models consulted
  • OpenAI GPT-5.6 Luna
  • Google Gemini Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite
  • Grok Grok 4.3 · No reasoning

Consensus at this check

The FTC’s AI accuracy policy would not automatically wipe out state chatbot laws, but it could make some state rules vulnerable if they require a chatbot to change or suppress otherwise accurate answers in ways users are not clearly told about.ftc

In practical terms, the policy says that if a company markets a chatbot as aiming to give truthful, objective, or “best” answers, then secretly steering it toward other goals—such as undisclosed ideological, equity, or state-defined objectives—could be treated as a deceptive practice under Section 5 of the FTC Act.ftcftc The FTC’s theory is that compliance with a state law would not necessarily protect a company if that compliance causes the product to become less accurate or misleading.ftc

What this means for state chatbot laws

  • Transparency laws are less likely to be affected.
    State rules that simply require a chatbot to disclose that it is AI, provide age warnings, add crisis or safety notices, or warn users it is not a human professional usually do not require the system to alter the substance of its answers. Those laws are much less likely to conflict with the FTC policy.ftc

  • Safety-focused rules may still survive.
    Laws that require refusal of harmful requests, self-harm safeguards, child protection measures, privacy protections, or similar moderation can often be defended as safety rules rather than demands to falsify outputs.ftc

  • Bias-mitigation or output-steering mandates are the main flashpoint.
    State laws that require developers to adjust, filter, or suppress outputs to avoid discrimination or advance some state-defined objective could be challenged if they effectively force the model to depart from what users reasonably expect as accurate or neutral responses.ftcca

  • Preemption arguments become more likely.
    The FTC is effectively signaling a conflict-preemption theory: if a state law forces conduct that the FTC views as deceptive under federal law, the state requirement may be argued to be preempted. That does not happen automatically; courts would still have to decide whether a real conflict exists.ftc

What companies would likely need to do

Companies operating chatbots across states would likely face pressure to:

  • document what their models are optimized for;
  • separate safety filters from truthfulness claims; and
  • make clear, conspicuous, and persistent disclosures if a chatbot is intentionally designed to prioritize something other than ordinary accuracy.ftc

Bottom line

The FTC policy would mainly matter for state laws that require chatbots to alter truthful outputs or secretly prioritize other objectives. It would have much less effect on ordinary disclosure, safety, privacy, and user-protection laws. So the practical question would shift from “Can states regulate chatbots?” to “Does this particular state rule force the chatbot to deceive users or materially depart from expected accuracy?”

Differences

The 3 models broadly agree – no notable differences found.

Best answerOpenAI

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Sources

  1. 1 Policy Statement Concerning the Suppression of Accuracy in Artificial Intelligence Systems | Federal Trade Commission ftc.gov
  2. 2 Federal Trade Commission’s Proposed Policy Statement Concerning the Suppression of Accuracy In Artificial Intelligence Systems ftc.gov
  3. 3 Utah Code Section 13-77-103 le.utah.gov
  4. 4 Codes Display Text leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  5. 5 Policy Statements | Federal Trade Commission ftc.gov
  6. 6 ldad.org
  7. 7 ftc.gov
  8. 8 insidehealthpolicy.com
  9. 9 nclc.org
  10. 10 cooley.com
  11. 11 industryselfregulation.org
  12. 12 multistate.us
  13. 13 troutmanprivacy.com
  14. 14 leg.colorado.gov
  15. 15 hklaw.com
  16. 16 arnoldporter.com
  17. 17 federalregister.gov
  18. 18 steptoe.com
  19. 19 ftc.gov
  20. 20 techpolicy.press
  21. 21 statescoop.com
  22. 22 ftc.gov
  23. 23 ftc.gov
  24. 24 consumerfinancialserviceslawmonitor.com
  25. 25 steptoe.com
  26. 26 spencerfane.com
  27. 27 winstontaylor.com
  28. 28 consumerfinancemonitor.com

Position Map

Where the models stand

Each row is one part of the answer. The cards show the distinct positions; the model chips show who supports each one.

0/100 Direction Shift · Stable
Shared conclusion

The FTC’s proposed AI accuracy policy would not automatically invalidate state chatbot laws.

Shared position

Supports this conclusion

  • DeepSeek
  • OpenAI
Shared conclusion

Instead, it would create a federal conflict-preemption argument against particular state requirements that allegedly force companies to

Shared position

Instead, it would create a federal conflict-preemption argument against particular state requirements that allegedly force companies to alter otherwise truthful or prompt-faith

  • DeepSeek
  • Gemini
  • OpenAI
Shared conclusion

The proposal’s core theory is that companies marketing AI systems as useful or accurate implicitly represent that the systems are designed t

Shared position

The proposal’s core theory is that companies marketing AI systems as useful or accurate implicitly represent that the systems are designed to provide reliable answers.

  • DeepSeek
  • Gemini
  • OpenAI
Shared conclusion

Secretly steering responses toward undisclosed ideological, political, “equity,” or other objectives could therefore be treated as deceptive

Shared position

Secretly steering responses toward undisclosed ideological, political, “equity,” or other objectives could therefore be treated as deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act.

  • DeepSeek
  • Gemini
  • OpenAI
See how each model moved across checks
Model position movement by watch date
ModelJul 21Jul 28Aug 04Aug 11Aug 18Aug 25Sep 01
OpenAI
Gemini
Grok — —
DeepSeek — — — — — —
Same positionChanged position

Cite this answer

consens.io. (2026-08-11). Consensus answer to "What would the FTC’s AI accuracy policy mean for state chatbot laws?". Models consulted: OpenAI: gpt-5.6-luna, Google Gemini: gemini-3.5-flash-lite, Grok: grok-4.3-no-reasoning. Consensus model: OpenAI. Sources: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments/policy-statement-concerning-suppression-accuracy-artificial-intelligence-systems, https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/ai-policy-statement_0.pdf, https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title13/Chapter77/13-77-S103.html?v=C13-77-S103_2025050720250507&utm_source=openai, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=22.6&division=8.&lawCode=BPC&part=&title=&utm_source=openai, https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/policy-statements?utm_source=openai, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGGWlHiz8OwlFbXrmm9osKmHEHBjzcHnoD93F4l6JRTT8MiWYU_h0vr26MOaEzFChCshCxxXThFKqWG9nl1D4pxe__kDJzomWg1LDBhKyvYFoxyNWM7JPSIb9pW0KH5NHjULWqe3EHjISBHAEc1RwQ6vAV62S4zd3g2SUGa7CmRH9mhsSOO, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGCdMQusJfjRP_Dvb9kZoke56tQAB4OSwE_nUHWrUe5Wm3Kx36YsBGloDQEcNBMG6reu3ragPnQnCy8EgGppxw3wXOcoBe9IZWIXy-p-fKB0Y9sIeunUvPKh2Q_WdSjODQdX3WSIeS-ou2W8uUs3YWPnScO4x6dqmoXtfwC, https://insidehealthpolicy.com/inside-telehealth-daily-news/consumer-group-slams-ftc-s-ai-accuracy-statement-urges-withdrawal, https://www.nclc.org/ftc-ai-proposal-would-increase-bias-and-decrease-accuracy/, https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2025/2025-10-21-ai-chatbots-at-the-crossroads-navigating-new-laws-and-compliance-risks, https://industryselfregulation.org/media-resource/media/blog/ai-chatbot-regulations, https://www.multistate.us/insider/2026/4/30/state-childrens-online-safety-laws-expand-beyond-social-media-in-2026, https://www.troutmanprivacy.com/2026/01/analyzing-the-new-ai-companion-chatbot-laws/, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb26-189, https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2026/05/colorado-governor-signs-sb-189, https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/perspectives/blogs/major-questions-an-administrative-law-and-regulatory-blog/2026/07/ftcs-proposed-policy-statement-on-ai-accuracy-and-preemption-of-state-ai-laws, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFTTmA7BiJ8Ki_1TFBlLLfOFaqhB66XOtimtI2ZV-aXKf4yrQM1s_7mv7gZzDsam3BW1oJzddoaonzGNsuTx2Heh-T8IZIQ6DeX08siSY85dUzEn9utb6QNqWOxDrxNPb-eCmtk26ATeMbSzgLkEkGooqnkK4m69pflfpUddVPq31tW-0jqEG_haLoTTX6mOxD9DjDm3xALEd7yZhdmSYmpWJdzRsH7O4MoPQC7cwXAO7DHh_Vnpn19afD-o4eLpJosfxWpIPQXJANRnX6fFXctxA==, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFNETbz2KQDTH1SwpasuZR1nTa9ZJonCgYf9ahCh4s956dax2TBenLfJxemwS0FWW-ZUnKQ6GcIIPziDQ8qGzaw9xAxLT-u-bFmmi075YVh-T1sCffBEYdkE5s341pjhY1UDn7DX9-VXDeJTeozWQ6m0rjFLxMj_5nzFqvmtxg7TDd7O8I72vk58xcESJhb-Bv6XvFM5BbNmasBC8x53CnjV8AUpouOd7R2ubnfTetWYg==, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGJNrbnDpXBrOOxi92q13YA3ICG9VI6zu_aOgmbTHB7RR0xEiMqOnuwK6-GM9MNVjUOpFY46czqBMEEjNiQynmZGVUeyAXvxbtWK-gxa5Tieg-csIFkSSaKnvn2XaLMqwP8Izj1T-6-_XMnMenOZLaR_-DKaRHZeDEQgwOz5iBoBnNBKarEWMJSlIKxBVLCLPCsC-7kNqfa38voyJG-aoesAABTzwGhk52Tz0OD6rXLY8rB, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQExc9gjMjk9FIhYKcm4p3jzA2ksOHMRMdG--I7uDydUkE7wOaiuqfRWwbWdiPMOIvoUC1gGACDPaQCoPvJxtD0igTrFDwYYiIxlUW2OEm2jdeEusGcbQxLYGVozMOIIJYAJMKjJF55zdM_82wfEnIRuz_MkyY148otwR2u8zDQ_MsI=, https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFLLffrW5krm5m9Dd0lMwNbLIuMqZj-YEM9vEUPlPmgPJ-522CzVqTh2Y7aVNE678bhknrEozStuWrrzApJbCUvZb38gMGjxUVkvheRC6_bNCno4ckVlP25bker6B26rHdmB13qNWKud1WOl1Mk6XcKl9Dl28c6HhXFkntYVZy_PmJfWSoX1YdH_BypLcnjqOkvsqg=, https://www.ftc.gov/industry/technology/artificial-intelligence, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/07/ftc-seeks-public-comment-policy-statement-addressing-ai-accuracy, https://www.consumerfinancialserviceslawmonitor.com/2026/07/ftc-proposes-policy-statement-on-ai-accuracy-and-ideological-manipulation-of-ai-outputs/, https://www.steptoe.com/en/news-publications/ftc-proposes-policy-statement-addressing-ai-accuracy-under-state-ai-laws.html, https://www.spencerfane.com/insight/ftc-proposes-new-policy-on-ai-accuracy-hiding-how-an-ai-system-is-steered-may-violate-federal-law/, https://www.winstontaylor.com/insights/the-ftc-proposed-policy-statement-concerning-the-suppression-of-accuracy-in-artificial-intelligence-systems, https://www.consumerfinancemonitor.com/2026/07/14/ftc-takes-aim-at-ai-accuracy/ Retrieved from https://www.consens.io/s/what-would-the-ftcs-ai-accuracy-policy-mean-for-state-NmpqbAofFirKV4n0?version=b067a6cf7fcbbb099664003f

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Agreement over time

How strongly the models support the same claims. Every point links to its run below.

100 50 0 2026-07-21: 80/100 · Restated, not moved: The new version sharpens phrasing (e.g., "not automatically wipe out" vs "not automatically invalidate"), adds explicit emphasis on "algorithmic discrimination / disparate-impact duties" as a target, reorganizes content into bullet lists for readability, and slightly broadens the "less likely to be affected" category. Core conclusions, examples, and qualifications are materially identical. 2026-07-28: 64/100 · Rephrased and condensed with minor structural and citation differences; core conclusions on preemption, output-steering risks, and viability of disclosure/safety laws remain identical. 2026-08-04: 90/100 · Restated, not moved: The new consensus clarifies that the FTC policy is a proposed policy statement rather than a final rule and explicitly notes that state law compliance is not automatically a defense against federal deception claims. The overall conclusions regarding which state laws are vulnerable versus safe remain consistent. 2026-08-11: 90/100 · No material movement 2026-08-18: 90/100 · No material movement 2026-08-25: 75/100 · The update expands on details, structure, and legal nuance (such as distinguishing safety controls from deceptive manipulation and detailing preemption litigation factors), but the core conclusions and legal assessments remain identical. 2026-09-01: 90/100 · No material movement 2026-07-21 2026-09-01

Checks

Newest first. Open any saved result to read the full consensus from that date.

  1. 2026-09-01 Stable
    90/100 agreement

    No meaningful movement detected in this check.

    Open this consensus
  2. 2026-08-25 Meaningful change
    75/100 agreement

    The update expands on details, structure, and legal nuance (such as distinguishing safety controls from deceptive manipulation and detailing preemption litigation factors), but the core conclusions and legal assessments remain identical.

    Open this consensus
  3. 2026-08-18 Stable
    90/100 agreement

    No meaningful movement detected in this check.

    Open this consensus
  4. 2026-08-11 Stable
    90/100 agreement

    No meaningful movement detected in this check.

    Open this consensus
  5. 2026-08-04 Stable
    90/100 agreement

    Restated, not moved: The new consensus clarifies that the FTC policy is a proposed policy statement rather than a final rule and explicitly notes that state law compliance is not automatically a defense against federal deception claims. The overall conclusions regarding which state laws are vulnerable versus safe remain consistent.

    Open this consensus
  6. 2026-07-28 Meaningful change
    64/100 agreement

    Rephrased and condensed with minor structural and citation differences; core conclusions on preemption, output-steering risks, and viability of disclosure/safety laws remain identical.

    Open this consensus
  7. 2026-07-21 Stable
    80/100 agreement

    Restated, not moved: The new version sharpens phrasing (e.g., "not automatically wipe out" vs "not automatically invalidate"), adds explicit emphasis on "algorithmic discrimination / disparate-impact duties" as a target, reorganizes content into bullet lists for readability, and slightly broadens the "less likely to be affected" category. Core conclusions, examples, and qualifications are materially identical.

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About this tracked question

3 AI models answered this question independently on 2026-08-11. A judge from a different model family then cross-checked the answers, scored how far they agree and flagged where they differ. The question is re-checked weekly, and every earlier version stays on this page.

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