Newsom signs election ‘deepfake’ ban, critics raise free speech concerns

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., signed a law Tuesday, Sept. 17, banning the use of AI-generated deepfakes in political campaigns, marking the nation’s most aggressive regulation of artificial intelligence in elections. The law targets deepfakes that impersonate political candidates and spread misinformation ahead of the 2024 election.

Newsom introduced the legislation after Elon Musk shared a manipulated video of Vice President Kamala Harris, which falsely depicted her as an incompetent candidate. The governor stated that deepfakes threaten the integrity of democratic elections and needed to be addressed urgently.

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The law allows courts to block deceptive content and imposes civil penalties on those who distribute it. Starting next year, social media platforms will be required to remove flagged deepfakes. Additionally, political ads using AI must include disclaimers to inform the public about altered content.

Musk, a frequent critic of Newsom, attacked the law on his social media platform X. He compared Newsom to “The Joker” and argued that the legislation infringes on free speech. He accused the governor of trying to outlaw political parody and satire. Musk’s posts reignited debates about the balance between free speech and preventing misinformation.

This law comes at a pivotal time as AI-generated videos are expected to play a significant role in the 2024 presidential election. While supporters claim the law is necessary to protect voters, critics warn it could stifle free expression. As the legal debate continues, California remains at the forefront of AI regulation in politics.