California Passes Bill to Combat Deepfakes in Elections, Targets Social Media Platforms

Sep 2, 2024, 07:30 PM

The California legislature has passed the "Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024," a comprehensive bill aimed at combating the spread of AI-generated deepfakes, particularly around election periods. This legislation requires social media platforms to block deepfakes related to elections from 120 days before to 60 days after an election. The bill is part of a broader effort by California lawmakers to regulate artificial intelligence, protect workers from technological exploitation, and address the risks posed by AI content in the upcoming election season. Governor Gavin Newsom has promised to sign the bill into law, and legal challenges are anticipated. Additionally, California is racing to combat deepfakes ahead of the election, and comprehensive AI watermarking legislation has been passed.