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Bill

HB 362

Regulate fraudulent synthetic media for influencing elections

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Munira Abdullahi and 9 co-sponsors

Ohio bill would prohibit creation and distribution of deceptive synthetic media designed to influence elections, addressing deepfake threats to electoral integrity.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 362

Legislative bill overview

HB 362 proposes regulatory measures to combat fraudulent synthetic media (deepfakes and AI-generated content) that could be used to influence elections in Ohio. The bill would establish legal prohibitions and potentially enforcement mechanisms against the creation and distribution of deceptive synthetic media depicting candidates or election-related content within a specified timeframe before elections.

Why is this important

Deepfakes and AI-generated synthetic media pose genuine risks to electoral integrity by potentially deceiving voters about candidates' statements, positions, or conduct. This legislation represents an early attempt to address a rapidly evolving technological threat that existing laws may not adequately cover, as traditional election law often doesn't account for AI-manipulated content that didn't exist a decade ago.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech concerns: Defining "fraudulent" synthetic media versus satire, parody, or legitimate political commentary raises First Amendment questions about where the line falls
  • Enforcement challenges: Determining who creates/distributes synthetic media, proving intent to deceive, and technical verification of deepfakes presents practical implementation difficulties
  • Timing and scope: The bill's proximity window before elections and whether it covers all media types (video, audio, images) versus specific formats may affect its effectiveness and breadth
  • Technology pace: Legislation may struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI capabilities and distribution methods

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

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