N.J. governor vetoes deepfake criminalization bill revision

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has conditionally vetoed a bill aimed at making deepfakes illegal. Deepfakes are fake images and videos created using artificial intelligence that can mislead viewers. Murphy praised the bill but said it needs to be more precise to avoid legal challenges related to free speech. The bill would have imposed serious penalties, including three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000, for anyone creating or sharing deepfakes for illegal purposes. It is now sent back to the Assembly for further revisions, where lawmakers will consider Murphy's suggestions. Senator Kristin Corrado, one of the bill's sponsors, has expressed her commitment to working with the governor’s team to adjust the bill. She emphasized the importance of protecting free speech while also combating harmful deepfake content. Deepfakes have become a significant concern, especially in cases of deepfake pornography, which mostly targets women. There have been alarming incidents, such as a case at Westfield High School, where boys created and shared unauthorized deepfake images of their female classmates. This has raised calls for stronger laws against deepfakes at both state and federal levels. Governor Murphy acknowledged the potential dangers of deepfakes. He noted that existing laws sometimes need to be refined to address specific issues effectively. As the bill moves forward, lawmakers aim to strike a balance between stopping harmful content and protecting individual rights.