Congress Targets Deepfakes With New Bill Ahead of 2020 Election
Lawmakers are taking a concerted stand against AI-generated manipulated media by introducing new legislation that targets creators and social platforms. The bill includes watermarking requirements, improved detection tools, and strict penalties for malicious deepfakes.
Artificial intelligence deepfakes are causing panic in Washington as the 2020 US election approaches. A recently doctored video of Nancy Pelosi and an AI-generated clip of Mark Zuckerberg highlight how easily manipulated media spreads across social platforms. These incidents frighten lawmakers who worry that foreign operatives will use this technology to target campaigns and destroy voter trust.
In response, the House of Representatives holds its first dedicated hearing on deepfakes while Representative Yvette Clarke introduces a comprehensive bill. The proposed legislation stems from months of collaboration with computer scientists and disinformation experts. It contains three primary provisions to address the growing threat of synthetic media.
The bill mandates that creators of deepfake tools automatically add watermarks to forged content. It also requires social media companies to build better manipulation detection directly into their platforms. Finally, the legislation creates strict sanctions, including fines and potential jail time, to punish anyone who creates malicious deepfakes.