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Bill

SB 454

Stop Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Deep Fake Media Act

2026 Regular Session

SB 454 criminalizes creating and distributing non-consensual intimate deepfakes, establishing penalties to protect people from synthetic sexual imagery created without consent.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 454

Legislative bill overview

SB 454 would criminalize the non-consensual creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfake images or videos depicting real people without their consent. The bill establishes criminal penalties for those who knowingly produce, distribute, or possess such synthetic intimate media with intent to cause harm, harassment, or humiliation.

Why is this important

Deepfake technology has made it increasingly easy to create realistic fake sexual content of real people, which has caused documented psychological harm to victims—predominantly women—and has been used as a harassment and extortion tool. Without specific legislation, victims often have limited legal recourse, as existing laws may not adequately address synthetic media that doesn't involve actual recorded conduct. This bill directly addresses a growing harm that intersects technology, privacy, and personal dignity.

Potential points of contention

  • First Amendment concerns: Critics may argue that banning deepfake creation could conflict with free speech protections, though most legal analysis suggests non-consensual intimate imagery falls outside First Amendment protection
  • Definitional clarity: The bill must precisely define what constitutes "intimate" imagery and "deepfake" to avoid overbroad application to satire, parody, or legitimate artistic work
  • Proof of intent: Prosecution may face challenges proving the creator's intent to harm versus recklessness, and determining what constitutes sufficient "intent"
  • Technical enforcement: Law enforcement capacity to identify, investigate, and prosecute deepfake crimes involving digital files with unclear origins and distribution chains

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

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