California Governor Signs Laws to Crack Down on Election Deepfakes

The article discusses new laws signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom aimed at combating the spread of deepfakes, which are digitally manipulated videos or images designed to mislead viewers. One law makes it a criminal offense to distribute deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate for office within 60 days of an election, with the intent to injure the candidate’s reputation or deceive voters. Another law requires the state to develop standards for identifying deepfakes and disclosing whether media has been manipulated. The laws come amid growing concerns about the potential impact of deepfakes on elections and public trust. Experts warn that deepfakes could be used to spread disinformation and sow confusion, undermining the integrity of the democratic process. While the laws aim to address this threat, critics argue they could infringe on free speech rights and face legal challenges.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/california-governor-signs-laws-crack-election-deepfakes-created-113793251