SAG-AFTRA Mobilizes 16,000 Signatories to Push for NO FAKES Act

SAG-AFTRA has officially intensified its legislative advocacy, securing over 16,000 signatures on an open letter urging Congress to pass the NO FAKES Act. This bipartisan proposal aims to establish federal protections against the unauthorized creation of digital replicas, granting individuals legal authority over the use of their own names, voices, and likenesses in AI-generated content.

The union’s push comes as the proliferation of sophisticated deepfake technology continues to outpace current legal frameworks. By making the generation of hyper-realistic celebrity depictions increasingly accessible, these tools have created significant vulnerabilities. SAG-AFTRA’s letter explicitly highlights the dangers posed by this technology, citing risks ranging from fraudulent scams and false endorsements to the systematic exploitation and displacement of human performers.

This initiative marks a critical juncture in the entertainment industry’s ongoing struggle to balance technological innovation with the protection of human labor. As AI models become more deeply integrated into creative workflows, the demand for clear, enforceable standards regarding digital identity has become a central pillar of labor negotiations. The success of the NO FAKES Act would represent a significant victory for performers, setting a vital precedent for how personal likeness rights are managed in an era of generative artificial intelligence.