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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey Bill A770 Requires Watermarks and Disclosures on Deceptive AI Media
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology CommitteeSponsor: Bailey, David, Jr.
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What This Bill Would Do
New Jersey bill A770 requires producers of deceptive audio and visual media intended for internet distribution to include digital watermarks and clear verbal or written disclosures. Violating these requirements constitutes a consumer fraud violation and, under certain aggravating circumstances such as election interference or harassment, a third-degree crime.
Content creators and distributors face civil penalties up to $20,000 and third-degree criminal charges if they distribute deepfakes without mandated watermarks and disclosures, while residents gain the right to clear labeling on altered media.
- New Jersey's legislative process requires bills to be introduced and referred to committees for review prior to floor consideration. context
- State consumer fraud acts allow regulatory agencies to pursue civil enforcement actions and penalties against deceptive business and commercial practices. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Content producers
Producers of digital media distributed over the internet must implement watermarks and written or verbal disclosures on altered content or face legal penalties.
Attorney General
The Attorney General is required to adopt administrative rules, issue advisory opinions within 30 days, establish waiver procedures, and submit five-year enforcement reports.
Internet users in New Jersey
Residents accessing online media receive mandated disclosures and watermarks identifying artificially altered audio and visual content.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of media are covered by Bill A770?
Are parody shows and fictional programs required to include these watermarks?
What are the penalties for violating the disclosure requirements?
Can content creators get guidance on whether their media complies?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Integration of AI Regulation into Consumer Fraud Statutes
The bill bridges emerging artificial intelligence challenges with established consumer fraud and criminal statutes by designating non-compliance as a violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz75Current news / social attention level
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