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AI Summary
The bill criminalizes the use of synthetic digital content for fraud, allowing civil actions for damages and establishing a work group for further study.
Business Impact
If you use synthetic digital content in Virginia, you must ensure it is not used for fraudulent purposes or face misdemeanor charges.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
Virginia's SB1053 expands legal definitions and penalties surrounding synthetic digital content, particularly in cases of fraud. It allows individuals depicted in such content to seek damages and mandates a work group to study enforcement issues. This legislation aims to address the growing concerns around deepfakes and their misuse.
Key Provisions
- Defines 'synthetic digital content' as digital media that falsely depicts individuals.
- Establishes penalties for using synthetic digital content in fraudulent activities as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Allows individuals depicted in synthetic digital content to file civil suits for damages.
- Mandates the Attorney General to form a work group to study enforcement of laws regarding synthetic digital content.
- Provisions do not take effect unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly.
Latest Legislative Action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0407)
Bill Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Ebbin D | Sponsor | SD-030 |
Roll Call Votes (showing 3 of 8)
H ·
Passed House (89-Y 8-N) ·
Feb 13, 2025
89 Yea
8 Nay
3 Other
Passed ✓
H ·
Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N) ·
Feb 10, 2025
22 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
H ·
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N) ·
Feb 5, 2025
7 Yea
1 Nay
1 Other
Passed ✓
Amendments (2)
Courts of Justice Amendment
Pending
—
Courts of Justice Amendment
Pending
—
Compliance Checklist
Ensure synthetic digital content is not used for fraudulent purposes.
Who: All individuals and businesses using synthetic digital content.
Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor for violations.
Who: All individuals and businesses using synthetic digital content.
Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor for violations.
Prepare for potential civil actions from individuals depicted in synthetic digital content.
Who: Content creators and distributors.
Penalty: Liability for actual damages and attorney fees.
Who: Content creators and distributors.
Penalty: Liability for actual damages and attorney fees.
Related & Companion Bills
Full Legal Analysis
SB1053 amends existing Virginia law to include synthetic digital content within the scope of defamation, slander, and libel, defining it as any digital content that falsely depicts an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct. The bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to use synthetic digital content for committing fraud, establishing that this offense is separate from any primary criminal offense. Individuals depicted in such content are granted the right to pursue civil action for damages, including attorney fees. The Attorney General is tasked with convening a work group to study the enforcement of laws related to synthetic digital content, including deepfakes, and to report findings by the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The substantive provisions of the bill will not take effect unless reenacted by the 2026 Session, while the work group provisions will take effect in due course.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View SB1053 on official legislature website →
Related Topics
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