Federal judge blocks California law banning election deepfakes

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a California bill that would ban AI-generated “deepfake” content and require the removal of “deceptive content” from social media.

The injunction comes just two weeks after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the controversial measure into law, sparking a dispute with X owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. It also takes place about a month before Election Day.

800-PLUS BILLS SITTING ON NEWSOM'S DESK ILLUSTRATE CALIFORNIA'S OVER-REGULATION PROBLEM: EXPERTS

A spokesman for Newsom's office warned that deepfakes “endanger the integrity of our elections, and these new laws protect our democracy while preserving free speech – in a way that is no stricter than those in other states, including deep-red Alabama.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate in Philadelphia on Sept. 10. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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“We are confident that the courts will uphold the state’s ability to regulate these types of dangerous and misleading deepfakes,” the governor’s office said in a statement to Fox News Digital, noting that “satire remains alive and well in California remains – even for those who do.” miss the point.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.