SAG-AFTRA Leaders Head to Capitol Hill to reintroduce the NO FAKES Act

Today, a press conference was held celebrating the SAG-AFTRA-supported, bi-partisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act as it was reintroduced in the Senate. If passed, the bill — sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis — would establish a federal right in voice and likeness to protect against unauthorized use of digital replicas in audiovisual works and sound recordings. 

The legislation goes beyond protecting actors, recording artists, and broadcasters, but also targets deepfakes which can, and have, ruined lives. It protects individuals from harm and also the creative community that rely on their face and voice for their livelihood. With it, individuals can demand platforms to remove illegal voice and image clones. Also, individuals would be able to seek damages from those who intentionally cause harm.

The NO FAKES Act would preserve existing protections at the state level, such as Tennessee’s landmark SAG-AFTRA-supported ELVIS Act and California’s SAG-AFTRA-sponsored AB2602, while providing one strong, consent-based framework for digital replica uses in expressive works nationwide.