SB 5152 (Election Synthetic Media)
Washington Synthetic Media in Election Ads Law (SB 5152)
Washington · RCW ch. 42.62 (SB 5152, 2023)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- July 23, 2023
- Applies to
- Sponsors of electioneering communications using synthetic media
- Enforced by
- Courts (candidate civil actions); Public Disclosure Commission context
Election ads in Washington that use AI-manipulated or synthetic depictions of candidates must disclose it. Candidates harmed by undisclosed synthetic media can sue for damages and injunctive relief.
Who is protected: Washington voters and candidates
Legal detail
Ch. 42.62 RCW (SB 5152, 2023) requires disclosure when electioneering communications contain synthetic media; provides a civil cause of action for candidates depicted without disclosure.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Washington |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | May 4, 2023 |
| Citation | RCW ch. 42.62 (SB 5152, 2023) |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Damages and injunctive relief in civil actions |
| Topics | election deepfakes · deepfakes · AI-generated images · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Statute | Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 42.62 RCW: Synthetic media in campaigns |
More AI rules in Washington
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Washington SHB 1672 (employee monitoring notice, ADS restrictions, emotion AI ban) · In effect
- Washington HB 1999 (criminalizes AI/fabricated CSAM and nonconsensual fake intimate images) · In effect
- Washington SB 5395 (limits AI in health-insurance prior-auth denials) · In effect
- My Health My Data Act · In effect
- SSB 5886 (WA Digital Likeness Rights) · In effect
Related election deepfakes rules elsewhere
- MI SOS Deepfake Election Policy · In effect
- FCC Lingo Telecom Biden deepfake fine · In effect
- AK SB 177 — AI deepfakes / cybersecurity / data privacy (dead, 2024) · Expired
- AK HB 358 — deepfake defamation / electioneering (dead, 2024) · Expired
- Butte-Silver Bow data center initiative ballot litigation (2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- TCPA (AI voice calls) · In effect
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