California Governor Newsom signs bills to protect children from artificial deepfake nude photos

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed two bills aimed at protecting minors from harmful sexual images of children resulting from the misuse of artificial intelligence tools.

Supporters of the bills say current law does not allow district attorneys to prosecute those who possess or distribute AI-generated images of child sexual abuse if they cannot prove that the materials depict a real person. Under the new laws, such an offense would be considered a felony.

Last month, Newsom signed a law regulating AI-generated “deepfake” election content and requiring the removal of “deceptive content” from social media. The laws are now being challenged in court.

According to the governor's office, the new laws build on laws passed years earlier regulating campaign advertising and communications.

NEWSOM'S DEEPFAKE ELECTION LAWS ARE ALREADY CHALLENGED IN FEDERAL COURT

Newsom has touted California as an early adopter and regulator of AI technology. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images, File)

The law makes it illegal to create and publish deepfakes before Election Day and 60 days afterward. It also allows courts to stop distribution of the material and impose civil penalties, according to the Associated Press.

Newsom also signed two other bills aimed at protecting women and teen girls from revenge porn, sexual exploitation and harassment through AI tools.

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Newsom has touted California as a leader and regulator of AI technology, saying the state could soon use generative AI tools to combat highway congestion and provide tax advice, even as his administration considers new rules against AI discrimination in hiring practices.

Jamie Joseph of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.