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Deepfakes in Federal Elections Prohibition Act

USA116th CongressHR-6088| House 
| Updated: 3/4/2020
Stephen F. Lynch

Stephen F. Lynch

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (3)
Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Jim Cooper (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Deepfakes in Federal Elections Prohibition Act This bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media (i.e., deepfakes) within 60 days of a federal election and establishes criminal penalties for related violations. The bill generally prohibits individuals, political committees, and other entities from distributing with actual malice any materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate within 60 days of a federal election with the intent to (1) injure the candidate's reputation, or (2) deceive a voter into voting for or against the candidate. Such prohibition does not apply to (1) audio or visual media containing certain disclosures (e.g., verbal or written statements); or (2) certain entities, such as radio or television broadcasting stations that broadcast such media with disclosures as part of a bona fide newscast. Additionally, the bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media prior to a federal election. A violator is subject to a fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both. It also permits a candidate whose voice or likeness appears in such deceptive audio or visual media to bring a civil action for damages.
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Timeline
Mar 4, 2020
Introduced in House
Mar 4, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • March 4, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • March 4, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 116-4617: Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act
Civil actions and liabilityCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingDigital mediaElections, voting, political campaign regulationFraud offenses and financial crimesNews media and reportingPhotography and imagingPolitical advertisingSound recording

Deepfakes in Federal Elections Prohibition Act

USA116th CongressHR-6088| House 
| Updated: 3/4/2020
Deepfakes in Federal Elections Prohibition Act This bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media (i.e., deepfakes) within 60 days of a federal election and establishes criminal penalties for related violations. The bill generally prohibits individuals, political committees, and other entities from distributing with actual malice any materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate within 60 days of a federal election with the intent to (1) injure the candidate's reputation, or (2) deceive a voter into voting for or against the candidate. Such prohibition does not apply to (1) audio or visual media containing certain disclosures (e.g., verbal or written statements); or (2) certain entities, such as radio or television broadcasting stations that broadcast such media with disclosures as part of a bona fide newscast. Additionally, the bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media prior to a federal election. A violator is subject to a fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both. It also permits a candidate whose voice or likeness appears in such deceptive audio or visual media to bring a civil action for damages.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 4, 2020
Introduced in House
Mar 4, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • March 4, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • March 4, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Stephen F. Lynch

Stephen F. Lynch

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (3)
Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Jim Cooper (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 116-4617: Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingDigital mediaElections, voting, political campaign regulationFraud offenses and financial crimesNews media and reportingPhotography and imagingPolitical advertisingSound recording