Bill would require notices for synthetic performers and altered political media

Businesses that advertise would have to disclose when an ad features a synthetic performer. The duty would cover anyone in the business of selling property or services who creates an ad for commercial purposes. The duty would apply when the advertiser has actual knowledge. A synthetic performer is a computer-created, reproduced, or changed asset meant to give the impression of a human performing in visual or audiovisual media. The definition excludes digital replicas used with the rights holder’s or law’s permission. A violation would carry a $1,000 civil penalty for the first offense and $5,000 for later offenses. The act would take effect 30 days after it becomes law.

Certain political communications using materially deceptive visual media would have to show a disclosure. The provision concerns visual media in certain political communications; the surrounding rules defining which communications are covered are not included here. The notice would have to be easy to read, at least as large as other text, and in the same language as the communication. The act would take effect 30 days after it becomes law.