Maryland Amends Identity Fraud Law to Combat AI Deepfake Misuse
Effective October 1, 2026, Maryland has updated its identity fraud law to specifically address the fraudulent use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deepfakes. The amended statute introduces criminal and civil penalties for individuals who employ AI to create 'deepfake representations' with fraudulent intent to cause harm. A deepfake representation is defined as any photograph, film, video, audio recording, digital image, or computer-generated image that is indistinguishable from an actual and identifiable human being, excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings. The law prohibits knowingly and willfully using AI or deepfake representations to impersonate, falsely depict, or claim to represent a person with the intent to cause harm, induce personal identifying information disclosure, or obtain benefits. Harm is broadly defined to include physical injury, severe emotional distress, and economic damages. This legislative action aims to protect individuals and small businesses from fina...
