AI video creator sues California over political deepfake law

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The creator of a viral AI-generated video mocking Vice President Kamala Harris is suing California over a new law regulating political deepfakes. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, makes it illegal to distribute "materially deceptive" audio or visual media of a candidate 120 days before and 60 days after an election.

Christopher Kohls, the video creator, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, arguing the law infringes on free speech. Kohls's AI-generated video, shared in July, depicted Harris mocking herself and was shared by X platform owner Elon Musk to his 198.2 million followers. Kohls claims the post was a "campaign AD parody" and should be protected by law.

The law requires that parody content be clearly labeled, including within the video itself. Kohls’s post only used "parody" in the caption, not within the video.

Governor Newsom defended the law as necessary to protect the integrity of elections from disinformation.