The Rockland County Legislature has unanimously adopted the Damaging Deepfake Act, a new local law designed to combat the growing dangers of AI-generated digital deception.
The legislation makes it a crime to knowingly create or distribute digitally deceptive media — including manipulated images, videos, or audio — that falsely depict identifiable individuals without their consent. Offenders could face fines or jail time, with harsher penalties for repeat or criminally motivated offenses.
County Legislator Dana Stilley, who sponsored the bill, said the law was necessary to preserve public trust and safety amid the rapid spread of artificial intelligence. “The rapid spread of manipulated videos and audio doesn’t just distort reality — it endangers reputations, safety, and trust,” Stilley said. “When someone’s face or voice can be stolen with a few clicks, we must act. This legislation safeguards the rights and reputations of our residents at a time when truth and authenticity are increasingly under attack.”
Deepfakes have exploded in scale, jumping from about 500,000 creations in 2023 to an estimated eight million in 2025. AI-driven scams and impersonation frauds have also surged, costing U.S. victims more than $12 billion in 2023, with losses expected to triple by 2027.
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh praised the legislation, emphasizing that laws must evolve as quickly as technology. “Artificial intelligence advances faster than the laws meant to regulate it,” Walsh said. “This act helps close that gap and safeguard those we serve from exploitation and manipulation.” He also warned that the misuse of technology can cause lasting harm, particularly to children, noting that “sometimes what goes on the internet will never come off the internet.”
Rockland Community College President Dr. William P. Mullaney said that students nationwide have been victimized by AI-generated explicit images. “These are not harmless pranks — they’re acts of digital violation,” Mullaney said. “This law reinforces that consent matters, even in the digital world. It gives institutions and law enforcement a framework to respond when technology is misused to harm others.”
While some state and federal laws address digital impersonation, experts, including the U.S. Copyright Office, have said those measures do not go far enough to address the unique harms caused by deepfakes. With the adoption of this law, Rockland County joins a small but growing number of local governments confronting the human cost of AI abuse and sending a message that digital deception will not go unchecked.
“Deepfakes are digital lies that can destroy lives in seconds,” said County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. “When people can’t be sure what’s real, misinformation spreads faster, and the harm can be lasting. This local law gives us tools to help protect residents and businesses, and I am proud to have voted for it.”