CAL.Regulation
California extends its election deepfake law to 2031
AB 686, approved September 19, 2026, as Chapter 334, Statutes of 2026, amends Elections Code section 20010 and Code of Civil Procedure section 35 to extend the repeal date of California's deceptive-media election law from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2031. The law bars distributing, with actual malice, materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate within 60 days of an election, and lets candidates seek injunctive relief, damages and attorney's fees.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) →
Key points
- AB 686 was approved September 19, 2026, as Chapter 334, Statutes of 2026; it takes effect January 1, 2027.California Legislative Information
- The law bars distributing materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate with actual malice within 60 days of an electionCalifornia Legislative Information
- Candidates may seek injunctive relief and general or special damages, plus attorney's fees to a prevailing partyCalifornia Legislative Information
- Media with a "This ____ has been manipulated" disclosure, news coverage, and satire or parody are exemptCalifornia Legislative Information
- Without AB 686 the provisions would have been repealed on January 1, 2027; they now remain in effect until January 1, 2031.California Legislative Information
Sources2 articles across 1 outlet
California Legislative Information
Filed under
RegulationCal.AB 686 - Elections: deceptive audio or visual media (2026)RegulatoryTechnologyFor governance