California AB 1836 (bans unauthorized AI digital replicas of dead performers)
California AB 1836 (2024) — Use of Likeness: Digital Replica (Deceased Personalities)
California · Cal. Civ. Code § 3344.1 (AB 1836, Stats. 2024, ch. 258)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 1, 2025
- Applies to
- Any person who produces, distributes, or makes available digital replicas of a deceased personality's voice or likeness in expressive works.
- Enforced by
- None (enforced through private civil litigation by rights holders).
It is unlawful to produce, distribute, or make available a digital replica of a deceased celebrity's or performer's voice or likeness in a film, video, or sound recording without consent from whoever controls that person's rights (such as their estate). Anyone who does so is liable to the rights holder for the greater of $10,000 or the actual damages caused.
Who is protected: Deceased personalities (via their estates/successors) and the rights holders controlling their voice and likeness.
Legal detail
Amends Cal. Civ. Code 3344.1 (deceased personality rights) to make a person who produces, distributes, or makes available the digital replica of a deceased personality's voice or likeness in an expressive audiovisual work or sound recording, without prior consent, liable for the greater of $10,000 or actual damages, subject to enumerated exceptions.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | September 17, 2024 |
| Citation | Cal. Civ. Code § 3344.1 (AB 1836, Stats. 2024, ch. 258) |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Civil liability of the greater of $10,000 or actual damages, subject to statutory exceptions. |
| Topics | deepfakes · AI-generated images |
| Bill text | Bill Text — AB-1836 Use of likeness: digital replica |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1168 — data center grid cost allocation · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 1119 Adam's Law, companion chatbots (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 867 AI chatbot toy moratorium (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
Related deepfakes rules elsewhere
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- Doe v. X.AI (Grok NCII deepfakes class action) · Blocked / in litigation
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- Arizona HB 2678 — AI-generated CSAM criminalized · In effect
- MN HF 1606 AI Nudification Ban (2026) · In effect
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