FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Anna Ross
Manager, Membership Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
703-245-8022
AAPC LAUNCHES FIRST DEEPFAKE LAW COMPLIANCE GUIDE
AS 26 STATES REGULATE AI CONTENT IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS
New resource helps campaigns avoid lawsuits and protect voter trust as AI use surges and deepfake laws multiply.
McLean, VA — October 8, 2025 — Artificial intelligence is now mainstream in political campaigns: 86% of consultants say they’ve used AI, and one-third use it daily. Yet as adoption surges, the legal landscape is fragmented: 26 states now regulate synthetic media in political content with no federal standard, creating costly risks for campaigns, from lawsuits to reputational damage.
To help campaigns navigate this fast-changing environment, the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) today released the first-ever Deepfake Law Compliance Guide, a clear, practical roadmap for staying compliant and protecting voter trust.
“AI is reshaping political communication, and the laws are changing just as fast,” said Julie Sweet, AAPC’s Director of Advocacy & Industry Relations. “Campaigns can’t afford to guess what’s legal. This guide gives professionals the clarity to protect their message and their candidates.”
Twenty-six states have enacted rules on AI and digital technology in political campaigns. These laws don’t follow a single model: some focus on whether a message is deceptive or misleading, others on whether the use of someone's likeness is authorized, and a few on the technology itself.
AAPC’s recent member survey [ [link removed] ] shows overwhelming concern about AI ethics and reliability. Nearly two-thirds of consultants (65%) are concerned about the use of deep fakes that mislead/deceive voters and 60% say the spread of misinformation/disinformation is a top concern. Accuracy and misinformation remain the top practical challenges, cited by 62% and 44% of respondents, respectively.
What the Guide Offers
Free Public Summary:
• Clear breakdown of deepfake laws: election content, consent & likeness (NIL), and non-consensual intimate images (NCII)
• Key legal and reputational risks under expanding state regulations
• Best practices for disclosure, consent, and risk mitigation
Full Member Guide:
• State-by-state risk chart with disclaimer rules, penalties, and exposure levels
• Compliance checklists and tools to prepare for legal scrutiny
Access the Public Summary [ [link removed] Deepfake Law Report All Access_FNL.pdf ]
Live Webinar—Press Welcome
AAPC will host a live webinar today, October 8, at 3:00 PM ET, led by Julie Sweet, to walk campaign professionals through the new guide, highlight common compliance pitfalls, and answer questions.
• Free for AAPC members | $49 for non-members
• Press interested in complimentary access may contact Anna Ross [ mailto:
[email protected] ]
• Register: [link removed]
In the Conversation
Julie Sweet also joined Jason Torchinsky of Holtzman Vogel on the Future of Political Consulting Podcast to discuss the legal and ethical challenges of AI-generated content in campaigns. Listen here [ [link removed] ] .
About AAPC
Founded in 1969, the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is the largest bipartisan association of political and public affairs professionals, representing more than 2,100 members worldwide. AAPC advances the field of political consulting and defends the democratic process by promoting ethical standards, hosting world-class conferences and awards, providing professional development and mentorship, and advocating on behalf of the industry.
Learn more at www.theaapc.org [ [link removed] ] .
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