Arkansas Act 159 (HB 1071) — Frank Broyles Publicity Rights Protection Act: AI Voice & Likeness
Arkansas · Ark. Act 159 / HB 1071 (2025 Regular Session), amending Ark. Code Ann. § 4-75-1101
Arkansas Act 159 (HB 1071), signed February 25, 2025, amends the Frank Broyles Publicity Rights Protection Act of 2016 to explicitly cover AI-generated voice and likeness. It adds 'voice' — including AI-simulated voice that sounds like a real person — and AI-generated images to the rights protected under the Act. Any commercial use of a person's AI-replicated voice or image without explicit consent is a violation. Named for the late UA Razorbacks coach Frank Broyles; became one of the first U.S. publicity-rights laws to specifically address AI-generated audio.
Technical detail
Amends Ark. Code Ann. § 4-75-1101 et seq. (Frank Broyles Publicity Rights Protection Act, 2016) to add explicit coverage of AI-generated reproductions. Adds definition of 'voice' including AI-simulated voice; adds AI-generated image reproduction to the protected attributes. Commercial use of AI-replicated voice or likeness without consent is a violation of the Act. Effective upon signing, February 25, 2025.
Who is protected: Arkansas residents whose voice or likeness is used in AI-generated commercial content without consent
Who must comply: Persons or companies using AI-generated voice or likeness of living or deceased individuals for commercial purposes in Arkansas
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-02-25 |
| Enacted | 2025-02-25 |
| Citation | Ark. Act 159 / HB 1071 (2025 Regular Session), amending Ark. Code Ann. § 4-75-1101 |
| Enforced by | Civil action by affected person or their estate |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Topics | deepfakes · consumer protection |
| Last verified | 2026-06-26 |
| Official source | Arkansas Legislature — HB 1071 (Act 159, 2025 Regular Session) ↗ |
More AI rules in Arkansas
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- AR Act 1096 (2019 AV) · In effect
- Arkansas Deepfake Sexual Content Act · In effect
- Arkansas AI CSAM Law · In effect
- AR Generative AI Ownership Act (Act 927) · In effect
- Initial Report - Arkansas Artificial Intelligence and Analyt · In effect
Related deepfakes rules elsewhere
- Doe v. X.AI (Grok NCII deepfakes class action) · In effect
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- NY AG · In effect
- MI SOS Deepfake Election Policy · In effect
- FCC Lingo Telecom Biden deepfake fine · In effect
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