Bill > AB502

This bill establishes strict rules regarding the use of "deepfakes"—which are digitally manipulated audio, video, or image files created to falsely depict candidates, elected officials, or election workers saying or doing things they never actually did—during election seasons in California. Specifically, the legislation prohibits anyone from knowingly and maliciously distributing such deceptive media if it could influence a voter's decisions or undermine public confidence in election outcomes. This prohibition applies during the 30 days leading up to an election for candidates and elected officials, and extends up to 38 days after an election for content involving election workers and voting equipment. To be legally exempt from this ban, manipulated media must include a clear, properly formatted disclosure stating that the content has been manipulated, though genuine news broadcasts and content that a reasonable person would immediately recognize as satire or parody are also exempt. Furthermore, the bill empowers the specific individuals falsely depicted in the deceptive media to sue violators for court orders or financial damages, and it takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to ensure protections are in place for upcoming elections.