California AB 2602 (2024) — Contracts Authorizing Digital Replicas of Voice or Likeness
California · Cal. Civ. Code 1745.5 (AB 2602, Stats. 2024)
This law protects performers and others from signing away the rights to an AI-generated digital replica of their voice or likeness without understanding what they are agreeing to. If a contract lets someone create or use a digital replica of you for a new performance, that clause cannot be enforced when it fails to reasonably describe how the replica will be used and you did not have a lawyer or union representing you when you signed.
Technical detail
Cal. Civ. Code 1745.5 renders unenforceable a contract provision permitting creation or use of a digital replica of an individual's voice or visual likeness for a new performance if it lacks a reasonably specific description of intended uses and the individual was neither represented by legal counsel nor by a labor union.
Who is protected: Individuals (including performers and recording artists) whose voice or visual likeness could be digitally replicated under a services contract.
Who must comply: Parties (studios, employers, producers) who seek to enforce contract provisions authorizing digital replicas.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-17 |
| Citation | Cal. Civ. Code 1745.5 (AB 2602, Stats. 2024) |
| Enforced by | California courts (raised as a defense in private contract disputes). |
| Penalties | No fine or administrative penalty; the noncompliant contract provision is unenforceable. |
| Topics | deepfakes · AI hiring and employment |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | AB-2602 Contracts against public policy: personal or professional services: digital replicas ↗ |
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Related deepfakes rules elsewhere
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- 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
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