Minnesota Passes Law Banning AI Nudification Apps with Heavy Penalties
Minnesota has enacted the first US state law prohibiting AI-powered nudification apps, introducing substantial penalties for developers and service providers. The law addresses the growing concerns around non-consensual AI-generated nudes and aims to deter further harm. It is set to take effect in August, pending the governor's signature.
Minnesota has become the first US state to pass legislation banning so-called "nudification" apps, which use artificial intelligence to remove clothing or sexualize images of real individuals without their consent.
The new law, passed unanimously in the state Senate by a vote of 65-0 and swiftly approved in the state House, targets creators and distributors of websites, apps, software, or other tools designed to produce AI-generated nude or sexualized content depicting real people. Under the legislation, developers of such products face significant civil and legal risks, including punitive damages if sued by a victim.
Crucially, the law grants Minnesota's attorney general authority to fine offending developers or service providers up to $500,000 per instance of a flagged fake AI nude image. Any products violating the law can also be blocked within the state. Collected fines are earmarked for support services assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other crimes, as outlined in the bill's language.
The term "nudification apps" refers to generative AI tools, often powered by machine learning models capable of altering or manipulating visual content. Such tools, sometimes leveraging neural networks like generative adversarial networks (GANs), have raised international concern due to their potential for widespread misuse and harm, particularly targeting women and minors.
Once signed by Governor Tim Walz, the law will take effect this August. The state expects the measure to act as both a deterrent and a legal recourse for victims, as the proliferation of AI-generated deepfake imagery has become a pressing societal issue. Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the accessibility of user-friendly deepfake and nudification apps, fueling calls for more robust regulation.
While Minnesota's law is the first of its kind in the United States, the issue of synthetic non-consensual imagery has also sparked debate within the European Union, where the forthcoming AI Act includes provisions regarding harmful generative AI outputs. Both legislators and advocates internationally are closely watching developments as digital manipulation technologies evolve and regulatory frameworks adapt.
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