TN ELVIS Act
Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act of 2024 (ELVIS Act)
Protects individuals from unauthorized AI-generated use of their name, photograph, voice, or likeness. Explicitly covers AI-generated voice simulations. Criminal and civil penalties including treble damages for knowing violations.
Jurisdiction
Tennessee
Enacted
Mar 21, 2024
Effective
Jul 1, 2024
Enforcement
Courts (civil and criminal)
Signed March 21, 2024; effective July 1, 2024
TN Secretary of StateWhy It Matters
First explicit AI voice protection law. Private right of action with treble damages. Criminal penalties possible. Sets precedent for publicity rights in AI era.
Recent Developments
First state law explicitly protecting against AI voice cloning. Named after Elvis Presley (Tennessee connection). Music industry supported.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Who Must Comply
- All individuals and entities
- AI tool developers/distributors
Obligations fall on:
Safety Provisions
- Prohibition on unauthorized commercial use of voice/likeness
- Prohibition on publishing AI-generated content without authorization
- Prohibition on distributing AI tools whose primary purpose is generating unauthorized likenesses
- Protection extends to simulated voices (not just actual recordings)
- Parent/guardian consent required for minors
Exemptions
News/Public Affairs/Sports
News, public affairs, sports broadcast use (First Amendment)
- • News/public affairs/sports context
- • First Amendment protected
Commentary and Criticism
Commentary and criticism (First Amendment)
- • Commentary/criticism purpose
- • First Amendment protected
Innocent Ad Media
Advertising media owners/employees not liable unless they knew or should have known of unauthorized use
- • No knowledge of unauthorized use
- • Media owner/employee
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Jul 1, 2024
All provisions effective
Penalties
criminal liability
Private Right of Action
Individuals can sue directly without waiting for regulatory action.
View on map
Tennessee
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
Tennessee. (2024). Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act of 2024 (ELVIS Act).
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NH Deepfakes Act
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RI Intimate Deepfakes Act
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TN University AI Policy Law
Requires University of Tennessee, Board of Regents, and all state university governing boards to adopt policies regarding AI use by students, faculty, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. Policies must be implemented by July 1, 2025.
TX AI Catfishing Law
Establishes civil liability for online impersonation using AI. Person liable if they knowingly and with intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten use AI to impersonate another's name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness. Civil remedies include injunctive relief, actual damages, exemplary damages ($500+ minimum), costs, and attorney's fees. Satire and parody exempted.
AR HB 1071
Amends Arkansas publicity rights law to explicitly include AI-generated reproductions of voice and likeness. Covers simulated voices and 3D generation.
Last updated January 22, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.