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Minnesota just passed a bill that bans AI tools built to create fake nude images. Lawmakers sent it to Governor Tim Walz for his signature.
The bill doesn’t mess around. If someone uses AI to generate fake naked pictures of you, you can sue the people who made the tool. Not just the person who used it—the actual developers behind the software. That’s a pretty big deal in a world where deepfake technology keeps getting cheaper and easier to use.
What the Bill Actually Does
The legislation targets AI applications designed to strip clothing off people in photos or generate nude images from scratch. Minnesota wants to stop the worst uses of artificial intelligence before they become normalized. Privacy groups have been pushing for this kind of law for months now, and the state legislature finally listened.
Victims get a direct path to court. They can file lawsuits against the creators of these AI apps, not just the users. That’s different from most existing laws, which focus on the person who shares or distributes fake images. Minnesota’s bill goes after the source—the developers who built the tech in the first place. It’s kind of like suing a gun manufacturer instead of just the shooter, though that comparison probably oversimplifies things.
The bill passed through both chambers of the state legislature. No word yet on how close the votes were or whether any lawmakers pushed back hard against it. The text doesn’t spell out specific penalties or damages, but the fact that victims can sue directly means there’s at least some financial teeth behind it.
Waiting on the Governor
Walz hasn’t said anything publicly about whether he’ll sign. His office didn’t comment when the bill landed on his desk. That’s pretty standard—governors often stay quiet until they’re ready to make a move.
But the political pressure is probably there. Minnesota’s been dealing with high-profile cases of AI-generated fake content, and lawmakers from both parties seem worried about what comes next. Deepfake technology used to require serious technical skills. Now you can download an app and do it in minutes.
If Walz signs, Minnesota becomes one of the first states to go after the developers themselves. Other states have laws about sharing or distributing fake nude images, but those mostly target the end users. This bill flips the script. It says if you build a tool specifically designed to create fake nudity, you’re on the hook when someone gets hurt.
The bill doesn’t ban all AI image generation. It’s narrow—focused on apps and tools made for creating fake nude content. So if you’re using AI to generate art or edit photos in normal ways, you’re probably fine. The law seems to target apps marketed specifically for undressing people or creating fake pornography.
What Happens Next
Walz has a few options. Sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature. The third option is rare but possible—if he just sits on it long enough, it becomes law automatically in most states. Minnesota’s rules might be different, though the source doesn’t specify.
If the bill becomes law, expect lawsuits pretty fast. Victims who’ve been dealing with fake nude images for months or years will finally have a legal weapon. And developers of these AI tools will need to either shut down or move their operations somewhere else. That might not be easy, though. If Minnesota can prove jurisdiction over an app developer based in another state or country, things get complicated fast.
Other states are watching. California, New York, and Texas have all seen similar bills introduced in recent months. None have passed yet, but Minnesota’s move could change that. Lawmakers love to copy each other when something works, and if this bill survives legal challenges, expect copycats.
The tech industry will probably push back. Free speech arguments, Section 230 protections, innovation concerns—all the usual stuff. But public opinion seems pretty solidly against AI tools that create fake nude images. It’s hard to defend that kind of technology when the harm is so obvious and personal.
Some legal experts think the bill might face First Amendment challenges. Can you really ban software based on what it’s designed to do? Courts have wrestled with that question before, and the answers aren’t always clear. But Minnesota’s legislature decided the privacy harm outweighs any free speech concerns.
The bill reflects a broader shift in how states think about AI regulation. For years, lawmakers mostly ignored artificial intelligence or treated it like any other software. That’s changing fast. Deepfakes, fake news, job displacement, privacy violations—AI is creating problems that old laws can’t handle.
Minnesota’s approach is narrow but aggressive. Instead of trying to regulate all AI, the state picked one specific harm and went after it hard. That might be smarter than trying to pass broad AI regulation that covers everything. Narrow bills are easier to defend in court and harder for industry lobbyists to kill.
Walz’s decision will probably come soon. Governors don’t usually sit on high-profile bills for long, especially when there’s clear public interest. The bill’s sitting on his desk right now, waiting for a signature or a veto.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does Minnesota’s bill ban?
The bill bans AI tools specifically designed to generate fake nude images of people. Victims can sue the developers of these applications directly.
When will the bill become law?
Governor Tim Walz needs to sign it first. No timeline has been announced for his decision.
Can victims sue the people who use these AI tools, or just the developers?
The bill allows victims to sue the creators of the AI applications themselves, not just the end users who generate fake images.
