CAL.Regulation
California extends deepfake election-media ban to January 1, 2031
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 686 on September 19. The bill extends the repeal date of Elections Code section 20010, California's prohibition on distributing, with actual malice, materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate within 60 days of an election, from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2031. Media that discloses it was manipulated is exempt; candidates keep injunctive and damages remedies through 2030.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California, The Nerd Stash
Key points
- The ban applies within 60 days of an election where a candidate is on the ballot, with intent to injure reputation or deceive a voter.California Legislative Information
- Media carrying a disclosure that it was manipulated is exempt from the prohibition.California Legislative Information
- A candidate whose voice or likeness appears in violating media may seek injunctive or other equitable relief against its distribution.California Legislative Information
- The extension takes effect January 1, 2027, when the current sunset would have repealed the ban; signed in the 13-bill election package.California Legislative InformationGovernor of California
Sources3 articles across 3 outlets
California Legislative Information
Governor of California
The Nerd Stash
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RegulationCal.AB 686 — Deepfake Election Media Prohibition ExtensionRegulatoryTechnologyFor practitionersFor governance