TX AI Catfishing Law
Texas Online Impersonation Civil Liability Law - HB 783
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.
Jurisdiction
Texas
Enacted
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
Enforcement
Texas courts (private civil actions)
Signed by Governor Abbott on June 20, 2025. Effective September 1, 2025.
Texas LegislatureWhy It Matters
Establishes civil remedy for AI impersonation distinct from criminal law. Private right of action with minimum $500 exemplary damages creates enforcement incentive. Relevant for AI platforms generating voice/image content.
Recent Developments
Effective September 1, 2025. Addresses AI-enabled catfishing and impersonation. Complements existing criminal impersonation statute (Penal Code § 33.07) with civil remedies.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Who Must Comply
- Anyone using AI to impersonate others online in Texas
- AI platforms enabling impersonation
- Social media users creating fake profiles
Obligations fall on:
Safety Provisions
- Civil liability for AI-based impersonation
- Covers name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness
- Intent requirement: harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten
- Satire and parody exemption
- Multiple civil remedies available
Exemptions
Satire and Parody Exemption
Person not liable if purpose is satire or parody
- • Clearly satirical or parodical intent
Compliance & Enforcement
Penalties
Unspecified
Private Right of Action
Individuals can sue directly without waiting for regulatory action.
View on map
Texas
Focus Areas
General regulation
Cite This
APA
Texas. (2025). Texas Online Impersonation Civil Liability Law - HB 783.
Related Regulations
TX Deepfake Intimate Images Law
Expands civil liability for AI-generated nonconsensual intimate images (deepfake pornography). Criminalizes threatening to create intimate deepfakes to coerce, extort, harass, or intimidate. Imposes penalties on individuals, websites, and payment processors involved in distributing such content. 10-year statute of limitations.
TX TRAIGA
Comprehensive AI governance with prohibited uses approach. Bans AI that incites self-harm/suicide, exploits children, or intentionally discriminates. Government entities have additional disclosure requirements. First-in-nation AI regulatory sandbox program.
WI Act 123 AI Deepfake Disclosure
Requires disclosure when AI is used to generate materially deceptive media in political ads. Ads must include 'This content generated by AI' notice in text and audio. Applies to candidate ads, issue advocacy ads, and referendum ads.
SD Deepfakes Act
Prohibits disseminating deepfakes about candidates within 90 days of election with intent to cause injury. Class 1 misdemeanor with up to 1 year imprisonment and $2,000 fine. Affirmative defense for content with AI manipulation disclosure. Civil remedies available to AG, candidates, and depicted individuals.
NH Deepfakes Act
Criminalizes fraudulent use of deepfakes as a Class B felony (1-7 years imprisonment). First state law with explicit private right of action for deepfake victims. Enhanced penalties when deepfakes result in wrongful arrest. Prohibits lobbyists who violate the law from registering.
HI Deepfakes Act
Prohibits distribution of materially deceptive media (deepfakes) in elections from February 1 through general election without disclaimer. Criminalizes violations with escalating penalties from petty misdemeanor to Class C felony if intent to cause violence. Private right of action for candidates, depicted individuals, and voter advocacy organizations.
Last updated January 22, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.