Summary
Existing law prohibits the false impersonation of another person in either their personal or official capacity with the intent to steal or defraud, as specified. Existing law protects all people from defamation, including libel and slander, as provided. Existing law makes any person who knowingly uses another's name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness for commercial purposes, as specified, without that person's prior consent liable for damages, as specified. Existing law provides that a party seeking relief pursuant to those provisions may also seek an injunction or temporary restraining order according to specified procedures.
This bill would enact the Digital Dignity Act. The act would subject to specified liability a person who, by distributing content with actual knowledge that the content includes the use of a digital replica, violates criminal provisions in which false impersonation of another is a required element, as prescribed, or is found liable for defamation in a civil action, as provided.
The Digital Dignity Act would require a product, service, internet website, or application that is both a generative AI tool and a large online platform that allows users to create a digital replica of other individuals to implement and maintain a mechanism by which users can revoke access to their digital replica created by other people using the large online platform's generative AI tool at any time, as prescribed. The act would authorize a city attorney or the Attorney General to bring a civil action to enforce these provisions and to seek a specified civil penalty and injunctive relief. The act would require a generative AI tool provider to maintain, for no less than 90 days, records sufficient to allow compliance with a court order issued pursuant to a civil action by the city attorney or Attorney General, as prescribed.
Bill text versions
Legislative Journey
- Introduced
- Committee
- Floor
- Passed Chamber 1
- Passed Chamber 2
- Signed
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
SenateFeb 19, 2026
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.
SenateFeb 26, 2026
Referred to Coms. on P., D.T., & C.P. and JUD.
SenateMar 10, 2026
Set for hearing April 6.
SenateMar 23, 2026
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on P., D.T., & C.P.
Senate