The ‘No Fakes’ Act is Back—Can a 2026 Version Pass Congress?

Photo Credit: Hartono Creative Studio

The first version of the NO FAKES Act “died in committee” after being introduced in the summer of 2024. But a 2026 version has reared its head. Will the new-and-improved version make headway?

A revised version of the NO FAKES Act (Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act), a bill originally introduced in 2024 and designed to regulate the use of AI to replicate a person’s likeness and voice, was introduced this week hoping to gain momentum. The original version enjoyed bipartisan support from a laundry list of lawmakers, studios, and even tech giants like Amazon, YouTube, and OpenAI.

The bill, reintroduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), is meant to address the increasing proliferation of unauthorized “deepfakes.”

It gives individuals the right to authorize the use of their voice and likeness in digital replication and also a course of action when used without permission. Notably, the digital replication right does not expire when a person dies, and can be transferred and licensed by heirs, executors, and others.

Revisions to the bill include a “counter-notice” procedure to challenge removals of material, and an exemption for certain work at libraries, archives, and research institutions. The bill’s original iteration also provided exclusions for news, documentary, sports, and biographical works, or for comment, criticism, parody, and more. These are present in the reintroduced bill.

Already, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music have applauded the revised NO FAKES Act and its endorsement by a notable coalition spanning the creative communities, child safety groups, labor unions, and more.

“RIAA proudly endorses the NO FAKES Act of 2026, a widely supported consensus bill developed through a bipartisan, bicameral process and championed by American AI developers, the creative community, child safety groups, conservative groups, labor unions, and free speech advocates,” said RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier.

“Polling confirms that 92% of Americans are concerned about the impact of AI deepfakes on our neighbors and cultures and reveals near-total support for a federal law that protects voice and likeness. NO FAKES provides those important protections while securing freedom of expression, reducing litigation, and achieving the full promise of American AI technology,” Glazier continued.

“We applaud the efforts of Senators Coons and Blackburn, alongside Representatives Salazar and Dean, along with their bipartisan colleagues, on crafting this legislation that has also been recommended by the White House’s National AI Framework. This is an example of communities coming together to solve an important issue, and we are closer than ever to NO FAKES becoming the law of the land this year.”

“Sony Music is proud to support the NO FAKES Act to promote the ethical use of AI and give artists more control over their identity and creative expression. Thank you to Senators Coons and Blackburn and Reps. Salazar and Dean, along with the other co-sponsors, for continuing to champion this bipartisan legislation,” read Sony Music’s statement.

“There is growing support for enacting meaningful protections against the unauthorized use of an artist’s voice and image, and we look forward to working with Congress towards passage of this legislation, allowing AI innovation and creativity to flourish.”

“I applaud Senators Blackburn and Coons and Representatives Salazar and Dean for their commitment and leadership in addressing the urgent need to establish guardrails to prevent unauthorized, AI-generated deepfakes,” added Robert Kyncl, Warner Music Group CEO.

“As a bridge between the tech and creative industries, the NO FAKES Act enables a new wave of technological breakthroughs while protecting human expression and artistry. We look forward to working with Members of the US Senate and House to pass the bill this year.”

“Universal Music Group applauds the reintroduction of the NO FAKES Act—landmark, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address ‘deepfakes’ and other threats to individuals’ rights to control their own voice and likeness,” read a statement from Universal Music Group. “At once, this legislation secures First Amendment protections and takes a critical step to ensure all Americans can protect and control their own persona. We are grateful to the bill’s sponsors for their thoughtful leadership on this important issue.”

“Every individual should have autonomy over these fundamental personal qualities, and the NO FAKES Act is the first step,” concluded Mitch Glazier. “It’s your voice on the line. Reach out to your representatives to keep this essential legislation moving this Congress.”