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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 S 6278 would add Penal Law § 240.80, making it a class A misdemeanor, with intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm, to produce, distribute, publish or broadcast a deep fake: an altered digital image that puts a person's face or body part into a pornographic or lewd sex act or graphic violence without the person's explicit written permission. It would also amend Civil Rights Law §§ 52-b and 52-c to allow lawsuits over unlawful deep fakes. Referred to Codes 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, anyone producing or sharing harmful sexual or violent deep fakes of real people could face a misdemeanor charge and civil suits.
Key provisions
- Penal Law § 240.80 aggravated harassment: class A misdemeanor to produce, distribute, publish or broadcast a deep fake with intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm
- Civil Rights Law § 52-b: a depicted person may sue over a deep fake or intimate image disseminated or threatened to harass, annoy or alarm; remedies are injunctive relief, punitive and compensatory damages, costs and attorney's fees
- Civil Rights Law § 52-c: a depicted person may sue a person who knew or should have known of lack of consent for disclosing or publishing sexually explicit material or a deep fake; a disclaimer is not a defense
- Exceptions include reporting unlawful conduct, law enforcement and legal proceedings, and material of legitimate public concern
- Limitations period is the later of three years after dissemination or one year after discovery; takes effect immediately; Assembly same-as A6293
Latest legislative action
Jan 7, 2026. referred to codes
Sponsors (showing 5 of 15)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Brad Hoylman-Sigal | Primary |
| BRESLIN | Primary |
| Jessica Scarcella-Spanton D | Primary |
| KAPLAN | Primary |
| LAVALLE | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
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