California AB 2655 (2024) — Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act
CA · Cal. Elec. Code §§ 20510–20517; AB 2655, Ch. 261, Stats. 2024
California passed a law requiring large online platforms to label or remove materially deceptive AI-generated content related to elections, and authorized candidates and election officials to sue for injunctive relief and damages. A federal court has blocked enforcement of key provisions while First Amendment litigation proceeds.
Technical detail
Cal. Elec. Code §§ 20510–20517 (added by AB 2655, ch. 261, Stats. 2024): requires 'large online platforms' to label or remove materially deceptive election AI content during specified windows; creates private right of action for candidates/officials/Sec. of State. Enforcement preliminarily enjoined in part by Kohls v. Bonta (E.D. Cal. Oct. 2024) on First Amendment grounds; litigation ongoing.
Who is protected: California voters, candidates, election officials
Who must comply: Large online platforms; creators and distributors of deceptive AI election content
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | CA |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | Blocked / in litigation |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-17 |
| Citation | Cal. Elec. Code §§ 20510–20517; AB 2655, Ch. 261, Stats. 2024 |
| Enforced by | Secretary of State; California Attorney General; private plaintiffs (limited) |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Injunctive relief; statutory damages; civil penalties |
| Topics | consumer protection · deepfakes · election deepfakes · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | California AB 2655 — Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception ↗ |
More AI rules in CA
- CA AB 2148 no-AI school employees (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- CA AG Bonta · In effect
- CA Bar GenAI Guidance · In effect
- CA CPPA ADMT Regs · In effect
- CA SB 1120 (AI prior auth) · In effect
- CPPA Honda ADMT settlement · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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