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HB 2862

Prohibits digital impersonation of a person and provides for injunctive relief

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Dolan

Missouri bill prohibits digital impersonation and allows victims civil injunctive relief, addressing deepfakes and fake accounts but raising questions about free speech boundaries.

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 1
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Bill Summary · HB 2862

Legislative bill overview

HB 2862 creates a legal prohibition against digitally impersonating another person in Missouri and establishes a civil remedy framework allowing victims to seek injunctive relief (court orders to stop the conduct). The bill addresses the growing problem of deepfakes, fake social media accounts, and other forms of digital identity fraud without specifying exact penalties or implementation mechanisms in publicly available information.

Why is this important

Digital impersonation causes real harms including reputational damage, financial fraud, harassment, and emotional distress to victims who have limited legal recourse under current law. This legislation would give Missourians a direct legal tool to challenge impersonators through civil courts rather than relying solely on platform reporting or criminal fraud statutes designed for other purposes.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech concerns: Distinguishing between harmful impersonation and protected speech (satire, parody, commentary) requires careful legal language; overly broad definitions could chill legitimate expression
  • Burden of proof and enforcement: Injunctive relief requires victims to afford attorneys and navigate civil courts; the bill's effectiveness depends on how accessible this remedy is to ordinary people
  • Technology scope ambiguity: The definition of "digital impersonation" may not adequately address AI-generated content, synthetic media, or fictional accounts that reference real people versus accounts falsely claiming to be them

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

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