Wed Sep 18 04:28:51 UTC 2024: ## California Bans Deepfakes and Election Disinformation in New Legislation
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills on Tuesday aimed at combating the spread of digital manipulation in elections. The legislation, described as a direct response to X owner Elon Musk’s sharing of a deepfake video parodying Vice President Kamala Harris, targets both deepfakes and broader online disinformation.
**AB 2655** requires large online platforms to prevent the posting of “materially deceptive content” related to elections during specified periods before and after an election. This includes “deepfakes” – digitally manipulated audio or visual media – as well as other forms of disinformation.
**AB 2839** specifically targets deepfakes portraying California candidates doing or saying something they did not, if such content is likely to harm their reputation or electoral prospects. Exceptions are made for satire, parody, and news reporting, as long as the deepfake is accompanied by a disclaimer.
The bills have been met with mixed reactions, with some praising them for protecting elections from manipulation, while others argue they could be used to stifle free speech and political expression. The legislation will face inevitable First Amendment challenges, prompting further debate on the balance between online speech and election integrity.
First Piper 