California Sexually Explicit Digital Images Reporting Law (SB 981, Digital Identity Theft Act)
California · Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Ch. 22.7 (SB 981, Stats. 2024)
Social media platforms must give California users a clear way to report sexually explicit images or videos of themselves that were created or altered through digitization without their consent. Once reported, the platform must temporarily block the material while it investigates, and remove it if it finds a reasonable basis to believe it is this kind of nonconsensual digital fake. The framing covers synthetic and AI-altered intimate imagery, not just real photos.
Technical detail
SB 981 added Chapter 22.7 to the Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code, requiring social media platforms to provide California residents a reasonably accessible mechanism to report sexually explicit digital identity theft, temporarily block reported material pending review, make a reasonable-basis determination (generally within 30 days, extendable to 60), and remove qualifying content.
Who is protected: California residents depicted, without consent, in digitally created or altered sexually explicit images or videos posted on social media platforms.
Who must comply: Social media platforms operating in California as defined by the statute.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-19 |
| Citation | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Ch. 22.7 (SB 981, Stats. 2024) |
| Enforced by | Not specified as a dedicated agency; obligations run to platforms with no enumerated penalty provision. |
| Penalties | The statute does not specify a penalty for noncompliance. |
| Topics | non-consensual intimate imagery · AI-generated images |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | California SB 981 (2023-2024): Sexually explicit digital 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.