California passes law to prevent use of AI to spread fake content about US elections

California Governor Gavin Newsom meets with journalists in Atlanta, Georgia on June 27.

Under a new law that took effect at the time of signing, the California state government determined that the creation and publication of fake content, representing one person as another (deepfake technology) using AI, is illegal if it is related to elections and the image is posted online within 120 days before the election or 60 days after.

With the new law, courts have the power to prevent the dissemination of documents with such content and impose corresponding civil penalties, Reuters reported today, September 18.

"Protecting election integrity is critical to democracy, and we need to ensure AI is not used to erode public trust through disinformation, especially in the current political environment," said Governor Newsom.

He said the measures would help stop the harmful use of deepfake technology in political ads and other content.

In a separate law signed by Governor Newsom the same day and expected to take effect next year, major social media platforms will also be required to remove misleading content. California is the first US state to pass such a law.

Mr. Newsom also signed into law a third law requiring political campaigns to disclose whether images they use in advertising include content altered by AI.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/california-thong-qua-luat-ngan-dung-ai-phat-tan-noi-dung-gia-mao-ve-bau-cu-my-185240918102901601.htm