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Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment by means of electronic or digital communication; provides for a private right of action for the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes, which are digitized images which are altered to incorporate a person's face or their identifiable body…
In one paragraph
New York's A 6293 would add Penal Law § 240.80, a class A misdemeanor for producing, distributing, publishing or broadcasting a "deep fake" (an altered image depicting a lewd sex act or graphic violence, published without written permission) with intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm. It would also extend the Civil Rights Law §§ 52-b and 52-c private rights of action to deep fakes. Would take effect immediately. Introduced March 3, 2025 and referred to the Science and Technology Committee (again January 7, 2026); it has not passed either chamber.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None yet: the bill is pending. If enacted, creating or distributing a harassing deep fake would be a misdemeanor and expose the distributor to damages claims; websites could be ordered to remove covered images.
Key provisions
- Penal Law § 240.80: producing, distributing, publishing or broadcasting a deep fake or image of a person "with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm another person" is a class A misdemeanor
- "Deep fake" means a digitized image altered to incorporate a person's face or identifiable body part, depicting a pornographic or lewd sex act or graphic violence, published without explicit written permission
- Civil Rights Law § 52-b: a depicted person may sue; the court may award injunctive relief, punitive and compensatory damages, costs and attorney's fees; a depicted person may seek a takedown order against a website
- Civil Rights Law § 52-c: "sexually explicit material" would include deep fakes, and liability would extend to a person who produces such material; the section's existing limitations period (later of three years from publication or one year from discovery) is unchanged
- Exemptions include reporting unlawful conduct, law enforcement, legal proceedings, medical treatment, and legitimate public purpose
- Would take effect immediately; referred to Science and Technology, with no further action
Latest legislative action
Jan 7, 2026. referred to science and technology
Sponsors (showing 5 of 9)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Alicia Hyndman D | Primary |
| BICHOTTE HERMELYN | Primary |
| FINCH | Primary |
| Steven Otis | Primary |
| WEINSTEIN | Primary |
Topics and industries
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Affected industries
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