Federal judge limits Montana's AI deepfake disclosure law in political ads

KXLH reported that Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Watters issued the order in a challenge brought by Dan Bartel, a Republican former state senator, and his committee, Accountability in State Government. The measure at issue, Senate Bill 25, requires a disclaimer on political advertising that uses generated or digitally altered images, video or audio within 60 days of an election.

According to the station, the judge found that the state had not shown the risks it cited were beyond the reach of less restrictive measures, and that the statute drew a line based on viewpoint by covering material critical of candidates while leaving favorable material alone. The injunction runs to the plaintiffs rather than striking down the law for everyone. A spokesperson for Attorney General Austin Knudsen, whose office defended the measure, said voters are entitled to know when AI has been used to mislead them. The case continues.