Martina McBride spoke on Capitol Hill in support of the NO FAKES Act on Wednesday, calling unauthorized AI and deepfakes “just terrifying,” as she called for legislation to be passed to defend artists.
“I’m pleading with you to give me the tools to stop that kind of betrayal,” McBride said at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, per Billboard. “[The NO FAKES Act could] set America on the right course to develop the world’s best AI while preserving the sacred qualities that make our country so special: authenticity, integrity, humanity, and our endlessly inspiring spirit … I urge you to pass this bill now.”
The bill — Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe Act — was presented in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to protect celebrities from deepfakes hijacking their likeness and images. During the testimony, the musician spoke about how deepfakes affect artists’ reputations and trust with fans, especially after they die.
“[My fans] know when I say something, they can believe it,” she said. “I don’t know how I can stress enough how [much unauthorized deepfakes] can impact the careers [of] artists.”
The NO FAKES Act plans to create a federal right of publicity that does not expire after death and could be controlled by a person’s heir for no longer than 70 years after the person dies. The bill would create a notice-and-takedown system. Platforms will need to remove unauthorized deepfakes or AI quickly after notice and cut off repeat offenders, according to Deadline. Social media sites would be shielded from liability if they comply with the act, but must use digital fingerprint technology to prevent misuse from happening again. Violators could face at least $5,000 per offense, plus punitive damages for willful misuse.
The Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday also included testimony from executives at YouTube and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “I think there’s a very small window, and an unusual window, for Congress to get ahead of what is happening before it becomes irreparable,” said Mitch Glazier, RIAA’s CEO.
The NO FAKES Act was introduced as a draft bill in 2023 and formally brought to the Senate in the summer of 2024. The legislation is backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senators Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, Thom Tillis, and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Representatives María Elvira Salazar, Madeleine Dean, Nathaniel Moran, and Becca Balint.
