New law bans access to nudification technology

Access to nudification technology will be banned.

Effective Aug. 1, 2026, “a person who owns or controls a website, application, software, program or other service must not allow a user to access, download or use the website, application, software, program or other service to nudify an image or video, or nudify an image or video on behalf of a user.”

Advertising or promoting any website, application, software, program or other service that nudifies a video or image will also prohibited.

A person depicted in a nudified image or video will be permitted to bring a civil action in district court against the person who violated this section for compensatory damages, including mental anguish or suffering, in an amount up to three times the actual damages sustained; punitive damages; injunctive relief; reasonable attorney fees, costs and disbursements; and other relief the court deems just and equitable.

Additionally, a violator will be subject to a civil penalty up to $500,000 for each unlawful access, download or use. Those funds will be used by the Office of Justice Programs for grants to organizations to provide direct services and advocacy for victims of sexual assault, general crime, domestic violence and child abuse.

Rep. Jessica Hanson (DFL-Burnsville) and Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) sponsor the law.

HF1606*/SF1119/CH72

HF1606* / SF1119 / CH72