SAG-AFTRA Mobilizes 16,000 Signatures to Push NO FAKES Act Through Congress
On June 12, 2026, more than 16,000 performers stamped an open letter to Capitol Hill, demanding Congress adopt the NO FAKES Act. The bill would grant a federal right of publicity that shields voices and visual likenesses from unauthorized use in AI‑generated images, videos, and audio.
Drafted in 2023, the NO FAKES Act first entered the House in 2024 and was reintroduced in 2025. If enacted, it would create a nationwide framework for licensing digital replicas, set liability standards, and offer safe‑harbor provisions for platforms that comply with notice‑and‑removal requirements. While the entertainment and technology sectors largely back the legislation, digital‑rights groups warn it could curb protected speech.
Today, no federal law governs deepfakes. State statutes vary, leaving creators and consumers in a legal gray area. The TAKE IT DOWN Act tackles non‑consensual explicit deepfakes but does not cover everyday AI‑generated likenesses used in advertising, media, or other commercial contexts.
Key provisions of the NO FAKES Act include:
A federal right to identity that extends to a performer’s family after death. The ability for individuals to sue distributors who knowingly create, host, or profit from unauthorized digital replicas. * Notice‑and‑removal duties for online platforms and streaming services, requiring them to remove or disable infringing content upon receipt of a valid notice.
SAG‑AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree‑Ireland called the bill “the next step” to close gaps that leave performers vulnerable to fraud and exploitation. He added, “Every day the law lags, another day abusers exploit these loopholes.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee has placed the NO FAKES Act on its agenda, opening a critical window for passage. SAG‑AFTRA is urging additional signatures and public support as the bill moves through the chambers.
The entertainment industry now faces a reality where the boundary between what is captured on camera and what is generated on a server is increasingly blurred. A federal right to identity would give creators ownership of their faces and voices, potentially reshaping licensing, royalty collection, and the protection of post‑humous likenesses.
At present, the NO FAKES Act remains a pending piece of legislation. Its progress will be closely watched by actors, producers, technology companies, and digital‑rights advocates alike. The next steps involve committee hearings, floor debates, and potential amendments before a final vote.
The outcome of this bill will determine whether the United States establishes a comprehensive federal standard for protecting individuals from unauthorized AI‑generated likenesses.
