New Jersey Enacts Law Against Deceptive AI Deepfakes
Summary
On April 2, 2025, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed bipartisan legislation (Bill A3540) establishing civil and criminal penalties for the production and dissemination of deceptive audio or visual media, known as “deepfakes.” Under this law, an individual commits a crime if, without license or privilege to do so, the individual makes or distributes deceptive audio or visual media for the furtherance of criminal activity and may be subject to imprisonment and a fine of up to $30,000. Such criminal activity includes, for example, advertising commercial sex abuse of a minor, endangering the welfare of children, threats or improper influence in official and political matters, false public alarms, harassment, cyber-harassment, and hazing. The law also makes the individual who violates its provisions liable to the victim of the violation, and the victim may bring a civil action.
