HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro last week signed Senate Bill 649 into law, introducing strict criminal penalties for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual “forged digital likenesses” — including deepfakes and voice clones — to commit fraud or harm residents.
Under the new law, individuals who use AI-generated fake content to commit fraud or cause injury can now be charged with a third-degree felony. This includes schemes like faking a grandchild’s voice to deceive older adults into sending money.
“In Pennsylvania, we are leading on AI — and taking advantage of the economic and technological benefits that come with it — but we’re also taking a thoughtful, proactive approach to protecting Pennsylvanians,” said Governor Shapiro. “By signing this bill into law, we’re sending a clear message that if you use AI to defraud or exploit Pennsylvanians, you will be held accountable. My Administration is committed to cracking down on scammers, reducing fraud, protecting consumers, and making sure Pennsylvanians of all ages can feel safe and confident in the digital age.”
Senator Tracy Pennycuick, who sponsored the bill, underscored the bipartisan effort behind the legislation. “I’m proud to see the Governor signing my bipartisan legislation to better protect Pennsylvanians from deepfake impersonations and scams that have already cost victims millions,” she said. “Now law enforcement will have the tools they need to hold bad actors responsible, creating a powerful deterrent that will make criminals think twice before attempting these digital deceptions.”
Senator John Kane added, “Today is an important day in our Commonwealth. With the Governor’s signature, we’re highlighting the need for responsible regulation on a technology that is poised to be more accessible in our daily lives in the near future. Progress is good, but protecting Pennsylvanians from the unintended consequences of this tech is one of my top priorities.”
Older Pennsylvanians remain particularly vulnerable to scams. In fiscal year 2023-24, the Department of Aging received nearly 18,500 reports of financial exploitation, nearly one-third of all abuse reports — a number that has almost doubled since 2017.
“Older adults being the target of scams has continued to rise each year. Last year financial exploitation became the most reported form of abuse for older Pennsylvanians. Increasingly sophisticated technology gives the victim a false sense of familiarity, with devastating results,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “The signing of SB 649 into law creates consequences for those who would use AI to rob older adults of their retirements. We applaud this action and look forward to continuing our work with the House and Senate for a comprehensive update to the Older Adult Protective Services Act to strengthen protections for older adults even more.”
State agencies are ramping up education and enforcement efforts. The Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) reached nearly 35,000 residents in 2024 through free outreach programs, resolved more than 10,000 consumer inquiries, and helped return millions to harmed consumers.
“Financial crimes involving artificial intelligence are on the rise, and it’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake,” said DoBS Secretary Wendy Spicher. “It’s critical that consumers stay alert and informed, and know that help is just a call or click away if they have questions or concerns.”
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) is also enforcing responsible AI use within the insurance sector. “Advancing technology offers real benefits, but scammers can exploit it to target Pennsylvanians,” said PID Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “This law helps hold those bad actors accountable — and we remind everyone to verify calls or offers that sound too good to be true.”
Governor Shapiro’s administration has emphasized consumer protection through new initiatives, including a centralized hotline and website for reporting scams and resolving consumer issues. Pennsylvanians can get help by calling 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, visiting pa.gov/consumer, or emailing consumer@pa.gov.
With SB 649 now law, Pennsylvania strengthens its position as a national leader in regulating AI technology while prioritizing public safety and consumer protection.
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