Hochul defends New York tech rules on teen safety, AI, data centers

August 31, 2026 at 07:00 PM1 min

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended her administration's tech policies in a wide-ranging interview, including new restrictions on teen social media use and a one-year moratorium on data center construction. She challenged critics of the state's ghost gun ban, including activist Cody Wilson, who has altered 3D-printable gun files to demonstrate the law's limits. Hochul also addressed the trade-offs of age verification, which she acknowledged could end online anonymity for adults.

Key Facts

Meta reached a settlement with dozens of states, including New York, restricting how teens use platforms like Instagram.
Governor Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on data center construction in July.
Activist Cody Wilson has started altering 3D-printable gun files in a process he calls 'Hochulization' to challenge New York's ghost gun ban.
Hochul acknowledged that widespread age verification could make it impossible for adults to be anonymous online.

Teen Social Media Restrictions

Meta settled with dozens of states, including New York, to restrict teen use of platforms like Instagram. Governor Hochul supports those restrictions and advocates for additional measures. She acknowledged that enforcing age verification would require adults to show ID, effectively ending online anonymity.

Ghost Gun Ban Challenge

New York's restrictions on ghost guns prevent 3D printers from producing gun parts. Activist Cody Wilson, who runs the largest database of 3D-printable gun files, has altered those files in a process he calls 'Hochulization'. Wilson's alterations aim to demonstrate that the ban is technically toothless. Governor Hochul challenged Wilson's approach during the interview.

AI and Data Center Policy

Governor Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on data center construction in July. She discussed what conditions would make data centers a workable proposition when the moratorium expires. The interview also covered surveillance technology, including Flock cameras, and the politics of AI in an election year.