NJ A2819

Creating deceptive audio or visual media ("deepfakes") for unlawful purposes is a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and/or up to $10,000 fine

Disclosing deepfakes known to be illegally created without labeling them as such is a third-degree crime, with fines up to $30,000 in addition to standard penalties

Unlawful purposes include using deepfakes for harassment, cyber harassment, theft by deception, theft by extortion, false incrimination, or invasion of privacy

Victims depicted in deepfakes may bring civil lawsuits seeking at least $1,000 per violation in damages, plus punitive damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief

News media organizations are exempt from penalties unless they knowingly broadcast deepfakes created in violation of the law without proper disclosure