In Newark, New Jersey, new legislation makes the creation and distribution of deceptive artificial intelligence-generated media a criminal act, with perpetrators facing up to five years in prison.
Governor Phil Murphy signed this significant law on Wednesday, which not only enforces criminal penalties but also opens the door for lawsuits against those who create or share these misleading deepfake contents.
With this move, New Jersey joins a growing number of states that have introduced measures targeting media crafted using generative AI technologies. Currently, at least 20 states have enacted legislation focused on combating deceptive media, especially around sensitive topics like elections.
Additionally, a report by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children highlights that more than a dozen state governors had, as of last year, put their signatures on laws specifically aimed at curbing digitally manipulated child sexual abuse illustrations.
The push for the new law in New Jersey was partly inspired by Francesca Mani, a Westfield High School student, who became a victim of deepfake manipulation two years ago.
Accompanying Governor Murphy during the signing of the bill, Mani shared her story of how those responsible for her deepfake ordeal received minimal punishment—merely a brief suspension—due to the absence of existing laws covering such offenses back then.
“Doing nothing is no longer an option,” declared Mani, who was lauded by Time magazine last year as an advocate against deepfake technology. Her efforts significantly contributed to championing this noteworthy legislation.
The newly passed law clearly defines a deepfake as a video, audio, or image that convincingly portrays a person engaging in actions they never performed to a reasonable observer.
Alongside potential prison terms, the law also introduces civil penalties, creating avenues for victims to initiate legal proceedings against offenders.