A Minnesota bill aims to combat AI-generated deepfake pornography by cracking down on companies that provide “nudification” technology. The legislation, introduced by Democratic Sen. Erin Maye Quade, would impose civil penalties of up to $500,000 on websites and apps that allow users in Minnesota to generate explicit fake images.
Why Advocates Say the Law Is Needed
Supporters argue the law is necessary because AI deepfake technology has evolved rapidly, making it easy to create realistic, nonconsensual explicit content. Molly Kelley, a Minnesota woman, testified that someone she knew used AI to generate fake nude images of her and at least 80 other women, all with ties to the offender.
“It’s not just about the distribution of these images—it’s the fact that they exist at all,” Maye Quade emphasized.
State and Federal Efforts to Regulate AI Deepfakes
Minnesota’s proposal aligns with growing nationwide efforts to regulate AI-generated sexual content. The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill requiring social media platforms to remove nonconsensual AI-generated explicit images within 48 hours. Meanwhile, states like Kansas, Florida, and New York are introducing legislation to criminalize AI-generated child exploitation material. AI-Generated Deepfake
Legal and Constitutional Challenges
Despite the bill’s intentions, AI law experts warn it may face constitutional challenges under the First Amendment. Riana Pfefferkorn of Stanford University notes that restricting content creation—rather than distribution—could conflict with existing federal internet laws.
However, Maye Quade insists her bill is legally sound. “This technology is inherently harmful. Tech companies cannot keep unleashing it without consequences.”
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