Newsom Signs Law Cracking Down on AI-Generated Deepfakes Ahead of Elections

Source: YouTube

California has made a significant move to safeguard its elections from the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed three new laws aimed at curbing the spread of misleading, digitally altered content in political ads and other election-related media. With the 2024 election approaching, these measures set a new national standard for regulating artificial intelligence in politics.

The Provisions of California's New Deepfake Laws

The core of California's latest legislation against deepfakes focuses on transparency and accountability. One of the newly signed laws prohibits the creation and distribution of AI-generated deepfakes related to elections during a critical time window—120 days before Election Day and 60 days thereafter. Courts will now have the authority to issue injunctions to stop the spread of such materials, while violators could face civil penalties.

In a further step to combat election disinformation, another law requires political campaigns to publicly disclose when they use AI-altered content in ads. This ensures that voters know when they are viewing manipulated images, videos, or audio. Additionally, social media platforms will be required to take down flagged deepfake content under a separate law set to take effect next year. Governor Newsom also emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “Safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to democracy, and it’s critical that we ensure AI is not deployed to undermine the public’s trust through disinformation.”

Election related AI-generated Deepfakes and Their Impact

AI-generated deepfakes have already played a disruptive role in global politics. In recent years, doctored videos and images have circulated widely, impersonating political figures and spreading false information. One prominent example is the manipulated video of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, slowed down to make her appear inebriated, which circulated on social media platforms in 2019. In a more recent incident, Elon Musk shared a doctored video of Vice President Kamala Harris, stoking concerns about the use of AI in politics. These events underline the need for regulations like California's new laws.

With AI technology becoming more sophisticated, lawmakers across the country are racing to protect voters from this growing threat. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a key advocate of the new legislation, declared, “California is taking a stand against the manipulative use of deepfake technology to deceive voters.”

Stakeholder Reactions

Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to crack down on election deepfakes was met with broad support from lawmakers and advocacy groups, though it has sparked some debates. Newsom highlighted the dangers posed by unchecked AI in elections, saying, “I could care less if it was Harris or Trump—it was just wrong on every level.”

However, tech companies like X (formerly Twitter), which is owned by Musk, have raised concerns about potential infringements on free speech. Musk himself noted that “parody is legal in America,” adding fuel to the ongoing tension between California regulators and tech giants.

Despite these concerns, Newsom and other California lawmakers are confident that these regulations will help restore trust in the political process. In addition to protecting voters from deceptive content, the new laws will also shield election workers from threats and harassment, as seen in previous election cycles.

Dealing with Deepfakes

California’s actions have positioned the state as a leader in regulating AI, with other states likely to follow its example. As the 2024 election season heats up, the threat of AI-manipulated content looms large, but these new laws offer a robust framework for protecting the public from disinformation.

With fewer than 50 days until the general election, California’s deepfake ban will be closely watched, both by supporters hoping to see it succeed and by critics wary of its implications for free speech.

Do you support California’s new laws concerning AI-generated deepfakes? Tell us what you think!

 Loading ...