A bill in the California Assembly could ban the distribution of memes during election season because they may be deceptive or damage a political candidate's reputation.
The bill, called the “Protecting Democracy from Deepfake Fraud Act of 2024,” is awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's signature, who has until the end of September 2024 to sign it into law.
This bill digest It notes that current law prohibits any person or entity from distributing false audio or visual media about a political candidate within 60 days after an election if the intent is to disparage the candidate's reputation or to mislead voters into voting for or against that candidate.
The new bill would require all “large online platforms” to block content they deem false in the periods surrounding and after elections.
As such, social media platforms will be required to label content as “fake, fake or false” during a specified period starting from 120 days before an election and ending 60 days after the election. Reclaiming the Internet.
Simply put, if a meme or image contains AI-generated material about a candidate or that is damaging to a candidate's reputation, it can be removed in California.
Political advertising campaigns would be required to disclose whether their ads contain content generated by artificial intelligence.
The law also requires platforms to develop reporting procedures to allow California residents to flag content that is “not blocked or labeled in accordance with the law.”
If the platforms don't comply, candidates, public officials, election officials, attorneys general, and district or city attorneys could sue the websites.
The bill states that “satirical and parodic content would be excluded,” but it is not yet clear who would be subject to the discretionary exemptions. Despite this caveat, Governor Newsom has already voiced his support for the parody ban.
Newsom after X owner Elon Musk re-shared apparently fake Kamala Harris election ad Required Similar content is illegal.
“It should be illegal to manipulate voices in these 'ads',” Governor Newsom wrote on July 28. “I intend to sign legislation within the coming weeks to ensure that this is illegal.”
mask Refuted“I checked with Professor Sagon Deesnutz, a world-renowned authority, and he said parody is legal in the US.”
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