California Criminalization of Distributing Deepfake Intimate Images (SB 926)
California · Cal. Penal Code 647 (SB 926, Stats. 2024)
California extends its criminal ban on distributing private intimate images to cover digitally fabricated ones. It is now a crime for an adult to intentionally create and distribute a sexually explicit image of an identifiable person made to look authentic, when the distributor knows or should know it will cause that person serious emotional distress and the person in fact suffers that distress. This closes a gap that left realistic AI-generated fakes outside the existing intimate-image law.
Technical detail
SB 926 amended Cal. Penal Code 647 (disorderly conduct / intimate-image distribution) to criminalize intentionally creating and distributing a photorealistic, computer-generated, or otherwise digitally created sexually explicit image of an identifiable person, made to appear authentic, where the distributor knows or should know it will cause serious emotional distress and the depicted person suffers that distress.
Who is protected: Identifiable persons depicted in realistic, digitally created sexually explicit images distributed without consent.
Who must comply: Persons 18 or older (the conduct is prohibited generally).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-19 |
| Citation | Cal. Penal Code 647 (SB 926, Stats. 2024) |
| Enforced by | Local district attorneys and California prosecutors (criminal enforcement). |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Carries the existing criminal misdemeanor penalties applicable to the underlying intimate-image distribution offense. |
| Topics | non-consensual intimate imagery · AI-generated images |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | California SB 926 (2023-2024): Crimes: distribution of intimate images ↗ |
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 non-consensual intimate imagery rules elsewhere
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- TAKE IT DOWN Act · In effect
- DEFIANCE Act (deepfake-porn civil suits) · Proposed / pending
- NY S5959-D (2020, digital replicas + deepfake porn) · In effect
- VA HB 2678 (2019, first deepfake-NCII criminal law) · In effect
- Missouri Deepfake & Digital Media Protection Act · Proposed / pending
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction — every entry must carry a verifiable official source.