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A 6293

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment by means of electronic or digital communication and provides for a private right of action for the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Braunstein and 1 co-sponsor

New York bill would criminalize aggravated harassment via electronic or digital channels and create a private civil action for unlawfully disseminated deepfakes.

REFERRED TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
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Bill Summary · A 6293

Summary of New York Assembly Bill A 6293

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 6293
  • Title: Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment by means of electronic or digital communication and provides for a private right of action for the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes
  • Status: Referred to the Science and Technology Committee
  • Introduced: March 3, 2025
  • Sponsor: Primary — Steven Otis; Cosponsor — Edward Braunstein
  • Related/Companion Bills: A 10217 and A 4217 (prior-session); S 6278 (companion in the Senate)

Purpose and intent

The bill appears aimed at two related harms in the online/digital environment:
1) creating a criminal offense of aggravated harassment conducted through electronic or digital communications, and
2) permitting a private civil action to address the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes.

The underlying intent is to deter online harassment and the misuse of deepfake technology by providing both criminal and civil remedies.

Key provisions (high-level)

  • Criminal offense: Establishes a new crime described as aggravated harassment conducted by means of electronic or digital communications. The bill would define the elements of this offense (e.g., the conduct, intent, and method) in the full text, and specify penalties and enforcement mechanisms as applicable to such conduct.
  • Private right of action (civil): Creates a private civil remedy for individuals harmed by the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes. This would allow victims to sue for damages and/or injunctive relief as defined in the bill text.
  • Scope and definitions (to be specified in the bill): The exact definitions of “aggravated harassment,” “electronic or digital communication,” and “deep fakes,” as well as any affirmative defenses or exclusions, would be laid out in the enacted language.

Note: The summary above reflects the bill’s stated purpose based on the title and related descriptions; precise elements, penalties, and procedural rules will depend on the final text.

Affected parties and impacts

  • Potential defendants: Individuals accused of aggravated harassment via electronic/digital means.
  • Victims: Persons targeted by harassment online or by deepfake dissemination who could file civil actions.
  • Civil/legal landscape: Introduction of a private right of action could add civil claims to the tools available to victims, potentially alongside criminal enforcement.
  • Platforms and intermediaries: While not specified, platforms hosting content may face scrutiny or need to respond to civil suits or criminal investigations if they are implicated.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill has been introduced and immediately referred to the Science and Technology Committee (two entries recorded on 2025-03-03).
  • It has related companion/senate bills (S 6278) and prior-session related bills (A 10217, A 4217), indicating ongoing interest in addressing online harassment and deepfake misuse across sessions.
  • If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, floor votes, and, if passed, reconciliation with any Senate version before becoming law.

What to watch

  • The exact statutory definitions, elements of the crime, and the scope of the civil remedy (damages, injunctive relief, statutory caps, etc.) will determine real-world impact.
  • Any proposed defenses, exceptions, or safe harbors (e.g., legitimate journalism, parody) that could affect applicability.
  • Timeline for committee action and potential passage in the current or upcoming legislative sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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