Pennsylvania Deepfake & Digital Impersonation Act (Act 35 of 2025)
Pennsylvania Deepfake & Digital Impersonation Act (Act 35 of 2025) in Pennsylvania: active, effective September 5, 2025. Applies to Anyone creating or disseminating deepfakes with fraudulent or injurious intent in Pennsylvania. Age range: All minors (NCII/deepfake focus). Criminalizes creating or di
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Category | Social Media |
| Status | active |
| Effective date | September 5, 2025 |
| Age range | All minors (NCII/deepfake focus) |
| Applies to | Anyone creating or disseminating deepfakes with fraudulent or injurious intent in Pennsylvania |
Key requirements
- Criminalizes creating or disseminating forged digital likenesses (deepfakes) with intent to defraud or injure
- Applies to computer-generated images, video, and audio recordings
- First-degree misdemeanor or third-degree felony depending on harm
- Fines up to $15,000 and up to 7 years imprisonment for felony violations
- Carve-outs for satire, public interest content, and information service providers who did not facilitate creation
- Defense available if content includes disclaimer that the likeness is fake
Notes
Signed July 7, 2025. First-in-nation comprehensive deepfake criminal law. Complements federal Take It Down Act. Protects minors and adults from AI-generated NCII and identity fraud.
Frequently asked
What does Pennsylvania Deepfake & Digital Impersonation Act (Act 35 of 2025) require?
Criminalizes creating or disseminating forged digital likenesses (deepfakes) with intent to defraud or injure Applies to computer-generated images, video, and audio recordings First-degree misdemeanor or third-degree felony depending on harm Fines up to $15,000 and up to 7 years imprisonment for felony violations Carve-outs for satire, public interest content, and information service providers who did not facilitate creation Defense available if content includes disclaimer that the likeness is fake
Who must comply with Pennsylvania Deepfake & Digital Impersonation Act (Act 35 of 2025) in Pennsylvania?
Anyone creating or disseminating deepfakes with fraudulent or injurious intent in Pennsylvania
When does Pennsylvania Deepfake & Digital Impersonation Act (Act 35 of 2025) take effect and what is its status?
Effective September 5, 2025. Current status: active. Signed July 7, 2025. First-in-nation comprehensive deepfake criminal law. Complements federal Take It Down Act. Protects minors and adults from AI-generated NCII and identity fraud.
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) | Illinois | Social Media | pending | 2028 |
| Kids Over Clicks — Youth Online Safety Package (SB 757-760) | Michigan | Social Media | pending | TBD (pending House) |
| Nevada Youth Online Safety Act (SB 63) | Nevada | Social Media | active | January 1, 2026 |
| Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) | Arkansas | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
| Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) | California | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027 |
| California Addictive Features Ban for Under-16s (AB 1709) | California | Social Media | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| Healthier Social Media Use by Youth Act (HB 24-1136) | Colorado | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
| Online Protections for Minors (HB 3) | Florida | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: NIST AI RMF policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: NIST AI RMF Implementation Policy (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: Pillar 06 Companion — The 2026 AI Risk Register (ciso.diy)