Judge Restricts Enforcement of Montana Law Against AI "Deepfakes" in Campaign Ads
The ruling says the state likely violated free speech rights and bars enforcement only against Bartel and his committee.
- On Wednesday, Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Watters blocked Montana from enforcing Senate Bill 25, ruling the law requiring disclosures on AI-generated political ads likely violates First Amendment free speech protections.
- The Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 25 in 2025 to curb deceptive 'deepfakes,' requiring disclaimers on ads within 60 days of an election that used AI to injure a candidate's reputation.
- Representing Dan Bartel, attorney Matthew Monforton challenged the statute as Bartel's political action committee, Accountability in State Government, distributed mailers depicting Rep. Eric Albus as 'woke' regarding cultural grants.
- Citing viewpoint discrimination, Watters granted a preliminary injunction, writing the state 'failed to prove that the purported risks of generative AI technologies could not be adequately managed' through less restrictive methods.
- Montana voters could see more AI-generated materials in the coming weeks as the state reviews the ruling, with Accountability in State Government planning additional mailers ahead of the November election.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Federal court blocks Montana’s AI campaign ad law
A Montana law regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence in campaign ads has been dealt a blow by a federal judge based on freedom of speech concerns. The order greenlights general election advertising that former legislator Dan Bartel and ASG PAC planned to use, but feared being prosecuted for.
Federal judge: AI deepfake election law violates First Amendment
A federal judge ruled in favor of a political action committee accused of breaking a new election law regulating the use of AI deepfakes this week. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters said that the new Montana law violates the First Amendment and infringes on the most protected speech of all – political speech. However, the ruling […]
Missoulian
Judge: Montana ban on undisclosed AI in political attack ads likely violates free speech
A Republican PAC challenged the law after several GOP candidates filed a complaint about the group’s AI use in campaign mailers sent out during the primary election.
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