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U.S. Elections

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

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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.

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An artificial intelligence advisor for the United Nations says deepfake technology usage in elections is "the greatest threat to democracy."
The Associated Press

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.

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Karah Rucker

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM JUST SIGNED THE NATION’S TOUGHEST LAW AGAINST AI-GENERATED DEEPFAKES IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, A MOVE AIMED TO CURB MISINFORMATION AHEAD OF THE 2024 ELECTION. BUT IT’S SPARKING A FIERCE DEBATE ABOUT FREE SPEECH.

THE NEW LAW BANS DEEPFAKES THAT IMPERSONATE POLITICAL CANDIDATES. IT WAS INTRODUCED AFTER ELON MUSK SHARED A FAKE POLITICAL AD OF VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, WHICH PORTRAYED HER AS UNFIT FOR OFFICE.

MUSK TOOK TO HIS PLATFORM X… COMPARING NEWSOM TO ‘THE JOKER’ AND ACCUSING HIM OF INFRINGING ON FREE SPEECH. MUSK ARGUES THE LAW UNFAIRLY TARGETS POLITICAL SATIRE AND PARODY.

STARTING NEXT YEAR, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REMOVE FLAGGED CONTENT, AND POLITICAL ADS USING AI MUST DISCLOSE THAT THEY’RE ALTERED.

AI-GENERATED VIDEOS ARE EXPECTED TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHAPING VOTER OPINIONS… RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE BALANCE BETWEEN PROTECTING VOTERS FROM MISINFORMATION… AND PRESERVING FREE SPEECH.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M KARAH RUCKER.