Minnesota passes ban on fake AI nudes; app makers risk $500K fines
First state to criminalize nudification apps after 80+ women were targeted
Deep Dive
Minnesota became the first state to pass a law banning nudification apps. Developers face extensive damages, including punitive damages if a victim sues, and the attorney general can fine up to $500,000 per fake AI nude. Fines fund victim services. The law exempts products requiring technical skill to nudify. It follows an incident where a man used DeepSwap to create fake nudes of more than 80 women. Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign, and enforcement starts this August.
Key Points
- Minnesota is first US state to ban nudification apps; fines up to $500K per fake nude
- Law exempts software requiring technical skill to avoid impacting mainstream tools like Photoshop
- Triggered by a man using DeepSwap to fake nude 80+ women; victims had no legal path under existing revenge porn laws
Why It Matters
Sets a precedent for holding AI app developers accountable for enabling non-consensual intimate image creation.