California AB 2655 (2024) — Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act
California · Cal. Elec. Code 20510-20520 (AB 2655, Stats. 2024)
Large online platforms with at least 1 million California users must identify materially deceptive AI-generated political content about California elections and either block it or label it during set windows around an election. They must also give California residents a way to report content that was not handled. The Attorney General, district attorneys, city attorneys, and affected candidates or election officials can go to court to force compliance.
Technical detail
Adds Cal. Elec. Code 20510 et seq. Applies to a large online platform with at least 1,000,000 California users; requires blocking materially deceptive election content from 120 days before through election day (with extensions for elections-official content) and labeling from six months before through election day, plus a California-resident reporting mechanism; candidates, officials, the AG, DAs, and city attorneys may seek injunctive relief, proven by clear and convincing evidence.
Who is protected: California voters, candidates, elected officials, and elections officials.
Who must comply: Large online platforms with at least 1,000,000 California users in the preceding 12 months.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-17 |
| Citation | Cal. Elec. Code 20510-20520 (AB 2655, Stats. 2024) |
| Enforced by | California Attorney General, district attorneys, and city attorneys (with private injunctive standing for candidates/officials). |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Injunctive and other equitable relief; no statutory monetary penalty specified. Violations must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. |
| Topics | deepfakes · election deepfakes |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | Bill Text — AB-2655 Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024 ↗ |
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 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
- CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass) · In effect
- California Bot Disclosure Act (bots must self-identify in sales/election messaging) · 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) · 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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