New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Tech Regulation and AI

Governor Hochul’s approach to tech policy is defined by a desire to balance economic growth with strict guardrails. She points to her administration’s recent success in securing a settlement with Meta—which mandates age-appropriate privacy and limits addictive algorithms for users under 18—as evidence that government can effectively curb corporate practices that jeopardize mental health. She rejects the idea that these restrictions infringe on First Amendment rights, characterizing them instead as essential protections for vulnerable populations, much like historical public health regulations.

Beyond social media, Hochul has taken a firm stance against the rapid, unchecked expansion of hyperscale data centers. By imposing a one-year moratorium, her administration is forcing a reassessment of how these facilities impact local energy grids and rural landscapes. She argues that tech giants must negotiate more transparently with local communities, moving away from a model that prioritizes cheap, fast development at the expense of public resources. Hochul maintains that these interventions are not about stifling innovation, but about ensuring that technological progress does not come at the cost of the state's long-term stability or the privacy of its citizens.