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CA SB981: Sexually explicit digital images.

Enacted California · 2023–2024 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

SB981 · where it stands

4 of 5 steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Date not recorded
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

SB 981 added Business and Professions Code Section 22670 and following. Social media platforms must provide California users a reasonably accessible mechanism to report sexually explicit digital identity theft, meaning the posting of an image or video created or altered through digitization that appears to show an identifiable person's intimate body parts or sexual acts without that person's consent. Platforms must temporarily block reported material while they investigate and remove it when there is a reasonable basis to believe it is sexually explicit digital identity theft, within set time limits, and keep the reporting user informed.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Social media platforms must build and staff a dedicated deepfake intimate image reporting and takedown workflow.

Key provisions

  1. Business and Professions Code 22670 et seq.
  2. Covers images or videos created or altered through digitization
  3. Mandatory reporting mechanism for depicted California users
  4. Temporary blocking during review and removal when substantiated
  5. Status communications to the reporting user

Latest legislative action

Sep 19, 2024. Approved by the Governor September 19, 2024. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 292, Statutes of 2024.

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Intimate Images

Affected industries

TechnologyMedia

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in California

All California bills →
SB976 Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act. AB2212 Postsecondary education: sexual harassment, harassment, intimidation, and bullyi SB926 Crimes: distribution of intimate images. AB602 Depiction of individual using digital or electronic technology: sexually explici AB1946 Reporting mechanism: child sexual abuse material. AB2713 California AI Transparency Act: system provenance data.

Same topic in other states

Connecticut HB5312 An Act Establishing a Civil Action for the Office of the Attorney General and a Florida H1161 Removal of Altered Sexual Depictions Posted without Consent Utah HB276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications Texas HB3133 Relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platform Mississippi SB2437 "Prohibition of Exploitation by Deepfakes Act"; enact. Hawaii SCR42 Requesting The Department Of The Attorney General To Convene A Youth Digital Saf