Judge John Mendez Blocks California's AB 2839 on Political Deepfakes

Oct 3, 2024, 05:16 AM

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of California's new law, AB 2839, which aimed to restrict the use of digitally altered political 'deepfakes.' The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom less than two weeks ago, was intended to combat election-related misinformation. However, Judge John Mendez ruled on October 2 that the law likely violates the First Amendment, describing it as overly broad and a blunt tool that stifles free speech, including parody and satire. The ruling came after a deepfake video of Vice President Kamala Harris, shared by Elon Musk, sparked controversy. The court's decision has ignited a debate over the balance between combating misinformation and protecting free expression.