Federal Judge Blocks California's Deepfake Law Over First Amendment Concerns

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against California's new law regulating election-related deepfakes, citing constitutional violations.

U.S. District Judge John Mendez ruled that California's deepfake law, AB 2839, is too broad and violates the First Amendment.
The law aimed to prevent misleading AI-generated content from affecting elections but was criticized for potentially stifling free speech.
The legislation allowed individuals to sue over election-related deepfakes, but critics argued it infringed on satire and parody rights.
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration defended the law as necessary to protect election integrity, though it faces significant legal challenges.
The ruling highlights ongoing debates over balancing election security with free speech in the age of digital media and AI technology.