Para añadir un nuevo Artículo 12.27 a la Ley 58-2020, según enmendada, conocida como el “Código Electoral de Puerto Rico de 2020”, a los fines de regular la difusión de medios sintéticos materialmente engañosos en comunicaciones electorales; requerir divulgación clara cuando anuncios o comunicaciones político-electorales contengan contenido generado o alterado sustancialmente mediante inteligencia artificial u otras herramientas tecnológicas análogas; prohibir, dentro de períodos electorales determinados, la creación o difusión maliciosa o engañosa de medios sintéticos dirigidos a influir en el resultado de una elección o a perjudicar a un candidato, aspirante, partido o proceso electoral; establecer un procedimiento expedito de querellas ante la Comisión Estatal de Elecciones y remedios judiciales en equidad; disponer sanciones administrativas; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico electoral code amendment mandates AI-content disclosure in political ads and prohibits malicious synthetic media during elections to protect electoral integrity.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 1154 amends Puerto Rico's 2020 Electoral Code to regulate synthetic media in electoral communications. It requires clear disclosure when political advertisements contain AI-generated or substantially altered content, and prohibits malicious creation or distribution of deceptive synthetic media during election periods intended to influence electoral outcomes or harm candidates or parties.

Why is this important

Deepfakes and AI-generated content pose genuine threats to electoral integrity by enabling the rapid spread of convincing false information about candidates and issues. As technology becomes more accessible, establishing disclosure and prohibition frameworks helps protect voters' ability to make informed decisions and maintains confidence in democratic processes.

Potential points of contention

Definition precision: "Materially engañosos" (materially deceptive) and "sustancialmente alterado" (substantially altered) require clear operational definitions to distinguish legitimate political content (satire, parody, editing) from prohibited synthetic media, with risk of either over-regulating speech or leaving loopholes

Burden and timing of compliance: Real-time disclosure requirements during campaign periods may create practical challenges for rapid digital distribution and raise questions about who enforces compliance across multiple platforms

Constitutional free speech concerns: Prohibition of "malicious" synthetic media involves subjective intent determinations that could be challenged as overly broad restrictions on political speech, particularly regarding satire or commentary