POLITICS

Honolulu enacts strict laws targeting deepfakes, chatbots

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Hawaii Governor Josh Green has signed two laws, Acts 247 and 248, that create some of the most restrictive state-level rules on deepfakes and AI chatbots in the United States. At a ceremony in Honolulu on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Green approved House Bill 2137 as Act 247, defining highly realistic AI-generated depictions of a person’s voice, face, likeness, or performance as “realistic digital imitations.” The law allows individuals to seek up to $25,000 in civil damages per image or recording when such media causes reputational or financial harm or facilitates fraud or harassment, and bans commercial use of AI-generated likenesses without explicit written consent.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Early 2026 Hawaii lawmakers draft AI regulations
Legislative session Attorney General raises First Amendment concerns
July 2026 House Bill 2137 passes legislature
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Governor Green signs Acts
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Act 247 takes immediate effect statewide
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Civil remedies established for deepfake victims
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Commercial AI likeness use requires written consent
After enactment State anticipates constitutional legal challenges

Why This Matters to You

These new laws in Hawaii could set a national precedent. They protect your voice, face, and likeness from being used by AI without your consent. If you've been harmed by a deepfake, you could seek up to $25,000 in damages. Check your state's laws to see where you stand.

The Bottom Line

Hawaii is taking a firm stand against AI misuse, but it's not without controversy. Critics argue these laws may infringe on First Amendment rights. This could lead to legal challenges. Worth forwarding if you're interested in the intersection of technology and personal rights.