Bill

Bill > A770


NJ A770

NJ A770
Requires certain disclosures of intentionally deceptive audio or visual media.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires a person who produces an "advanced technological false personation record" (record), as that term is defined in the bill, with the intent to distribute the record over the Internet or with knowledge that the record is to be so distributed, and which a person in this State has the ability to access via the Internet, is to ensure the record contains certain disclosures. A record which contains a moving visual element is to contain an embedded digital watermark clearly identifying the record as containing altered audio or visual elements. A record containing both an audio and a visual element is to include: 1) at least one clearly articulated verbal statement that identifies the record as containing altered audio and visual elements, and a concise description of the extent of the alteration; and 2) an unobscured written statement in clearly readable text, appearing at the bottom of the image throughout the duration of the visual element, that identifies the record as containing altered audio and visual elements, and a concise description of the extent of the alteration. A record exclusively containing a visual element is to include an unobscured written statement in clearly readable text appearing at the bottom of the image throughout the duration of the visual element that identifies the record as containing altered visual elements, and a concise description of the extent of the alteration. A record exclusively containing an audio element is to include, at the beginning of the record, a clearly articulated verbal statement that identifies the record as containing altered audio elements and a concise description of the extent of the alteration, and in the event the record exceeds two minutes in length, not less than one additional clearly articulated verbal statement and additional concise description at some interval during each two-minute period thereafter. The provisions of the bill are not to apply with respect to any record meeting certain requirements in the bill. The bill provides that the watermark requirement is not to apply with respect to any class of record which the Attorney General determines by regulation should be excluded. The bill requires the Attorney General, in coordination with any other State agency the Attorney General deems necessary, to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than five years after the date of enactment of the bill, and five years thereafter, describing trends related to prosecutions and civil penalties pursued pursuant to the bill and recommending any updates to the bill necessitated by the emergence of new technologies. It is to be an unlawful practice and a violation of the New Jersey consumer fraud act to violate the provisions of the bill, which includes, but is not limited to penalties of not more than $10,000 for the first offense and not more than $20,000 for the second and each subsequent offense. Further, the bill provides that a person is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree if they knowingly omit or obscure the disclosure requirements of the bill under certain circumstances.

AI Summary

This bill requires individuals who create "advanced technological false personation records," which are deceptive audio or visual media designed to appear real but depict actions a person did not actually take, to clearly disclose that the media has been altered when it is distributed online and accessible in the state. These disclosures must include an embedded digital watermark for videos, a verbal statement and a written notice at the bottom of the screen for audiovisual content, a written notice for visual-only content, and verbal statements at the beginning and periodically throughout for audio-only content, all explaining the alteration. The bill provides exceptions for certain types of content, such as parody or historical reenactments, and allows the Attorney General to exempt certain categories of records from the watermark requirement. Violating these disclosure rules is considered an unlawful practice under the New Jersey consumer fraud act, with penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for subsequent offenses, and knowingly omitting or obscuring these disclosures can result in a third-degree crime. The Attorney General will also report on trends and recommend updates to the law every five years to address emerging technologies.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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