False advertising: synthetic digital performers.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide details on penalties for breaking the new advertising rules, leaving enforcement and compliance unclear.

Rules Against Fake Performers in Ads

The bill makes it illegal to use fake digital performers in advertisements without clearly telling people that the performer is not real.

What This Bill Does

• Requires anyone who uses a synthetic (fake) digital performer in an advertisement to tell viewers that the performer is not real.
• Prohibits advertising mediums from showing ads with synthetic performers if a court has ordered them not to because they did not follow the rules.
• Defines important terms like 'synthetic performer' and 'advertising medium'.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who create advertisements with synthetic digital performers.
• Advertising mediums that show ads containing synthetic performers.

Terms To Know

Synthetic performer

A computer-generated person or character used in an advertisement to look like a real human performer.

Advertising medium

Any platform that shows advertisements, such as TV channels, websites, and social media platforms.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks the rules.
• It is unclear how this will be enforced or who will check for compliance.

Official Summary Text

SB 1050, as amended, Ashby.
False advertising: synthetic digital performers.
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person or a firm, corporation, or association, or any employee thereof, to engage in false or misleading advertising practices. Existing law makes various unfair competition practices unlawful, including any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading advertising.
This bill would make it an unlawful advertising practice for a
person, in connection with the creation or dissemination of an advertisement in this state, to use or cause to be used a synthetic performer without a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the performer is synthetic.
person to create and cause to be published
in an advertising medium an advertisement that includes a synthetic performer without a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the performer is synthetic. The bill would prohibit an advertising medium from transmitting, distributing, displaying, airing, or otherwise making available an advertisement containing a synthetic performer if a court of competent jurisdiction has issued an order finding that the advertisement violates the bill’s provisions or enjoining the creator from publishing the advertisement, and the advertising medium is served with the order, as specified. The bill would define various terms for these purposes.
By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF