Lawmakers Reintroduce NO FAKES Act, Giving 330 Million Americans IP Rights Over Voice and Likeness
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 21
Lawmakers Reintroduce NO FAKES Act, Giving 330 Million Americans IP Rights Over Voice and Likeness
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 21
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday revived the NO FAKES Act, which would let people sue over unauthorized AI replicas of their voice or likeness and force platforms to run notice-and-takedown systems.
The bill aims to curb nonconsensual deepfake porn, fraudulent impersonation and AI misuse of artists’ work by turning personal identity into a licensable intellectual-property right.
Legal scholars said that broad IP approach could chill protected speech and create new risks, including pressure on ordinary people to cheaply sign away personality rights or use them as collateral.
They contrasted the proposal with the narrower Take It Down Act, which targets nonconsensual deepfake pornography more directly, while supporters argue the wider bill could cover future harms piece by piece laws might miss.
Are broad IP laws the right tool to fight deepfakes, or do targeted criminal laws better protect speech and dignity?
As laws grant ownership of digital likenesses, could a new market emerge where people are forced to sell their identities?
With the Pentagon weaponizing AI and ICE using spyware, what new safeguards can protect citizens from government overreach?
The NO FAKES Act 2026: Federal Legislation to Combat AI Deepfakes and Protect Digital Identity Rights
Overview
The NO FAKES Act, reintroduced in Congress in May 2026, is a major federal response to the growing challenges of AI-generated deepfakes and digital replicas. As concerns over unauthorized AI voice cloning and likeness manipulation rise, and with high-profile cases like Taylor Swift seeking legal protection, the Act aims to address widespread public concern and legal ambiguities. It proposes a clear, nationwide framework to give individuals control over their digital identities. This legislation reflects the urgent need for comprehensive federal rules as AI technology rapidly advances and unauthorized content becomes more common.