Texas Senate Bill 2373 — Financial Exploitation or Abuse Using Artificially Generated Media or Phishing Communications
Texas · Tex. S.B. 2373, 89th Leg., R.S. (2025); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 100B; Tex. Penal Code Sec. 32.56
Texas makes it unlawful to use AI-generated images, audio, video, or text — or phishing messages — to financially exploit or defraud another person. Victims can sue the wrongdoer and recover their actual losses, damages for mental anguish, the profits the wrongdoer earned, and their court costs and attorney's fees, and may seek an injunction. A separate civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each day the deceptive media or communication was circulated can be pursued. The same conduct can also be prosecuted criminally, with penalties scaling up to a first-degree felony based on the amount taken.
Technical detail
S.B. 2373 (89th Leg., R.S.) creates Chapter 100B of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (private remedies and a civil penalty up to $1,000/day under Secs. 100B.002-.003) and adds Penal Code Sec. 32.56, criminalizing financial abuse via artificially generated media or phishing communications.
Who is protected: Individuals targeted for financial exploitation or fraud through AI-generated media or phishing communications.
Who must comply: Any person who disseminates artificially generated media or phishing communications to financially exploit another (interactive computer services, telecom carriers, and licensed broadcasters carrying third-party content are exempted).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Texas |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-09-01 |
| Enacted | 2025-06-20 |
| Citation | Tex. S.B. 2373, 89th Leg., R.S. (2025); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 100B; Tex. Penal Code Sec. 32.56 |
| Enforced by | Texas Attorney General (civil penalties); local prosecutors (criminal offenses); private claimants (civil remedies) |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Civil: actual damages including mental-anguish damages, the defendant's profits, court costs and attorney's fees, plus injunctive relief; a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each day the media or communication was disseminated. Criminal: a graduated offense ranging from a Class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony depending on the value involved. |
| Topics | deepfakes · consumer protection |
| Last verified | 2026-07-22 |
| Official source | Texas Legislature Online — S.B. 2373, Enrolled Bill Text, 89th Legislature (R.S.) ↗ |
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