The Unauthorized Use Of Deepfake Or Actual Likeness

Tennessee HB1299 makes it illegal to use someone's image or likeness in a way that is sexual or intimate without their permission. This law allows victims to take civil and criminal action if their intimate images are shared without consent. It aims to protect individuals from unauthorized use of deepfake technology or actual likenesses.

TN HB1299 is a house bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by William Lamberth (R), currently “Passed” since May 15, 2025.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 258 of them sponsored by William Lamberth.

Supporters of HB1299 argue that the bill is a crucial step in protecting personal privacy and dignity in the digital age. They believe it empowers individuals to defend themselves against exploitation and misuse of their images, particularly in cases involving deepfake technology.

Critics of HB1299 may argue that the bill could infringe on free speech rights and lead to overreach in regulating digital content. They express concerns that the law might be misused, potentially criminalizing legitimate expressions or artistic uses of likenesses without clear guidelines.

The sponsor of HB1299, William Lamberth, has a professional background as an attorney and is self-employed in the legal field. This occupation aligns with the bill's impact on the legal industry, particularly in areas concerning data privacy, artificial intelligence, and tort reform. As an attorney, Lamberth may indirectly benefit from the bill's provisions that create new legal avenues for civil and criminal actions related to unauthorized use of digital likenesses. This could potentially increase the demand for legal services in these areas, thereby benefiting his legal practice. However, there is no direct evidence that Lamberth's personal financial interests would significantly benefit from the bill, as the bill does not specifically target or favor his business or legal practice.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.