Colorado lawmakers support Senate Bill 288 to combat deepfake and child exploitation crimes

The Colorado State Legislature's House Judiciary Committee convened on May 3, 2025, to discuss critical legislation aimed at addressing the growing threat of digital exploitation and abuse facilitated by artificial intelligence. Central to the meeting was Senate Bill 288, which seeks to hold creators of deepfake images accountable and update existing laws to better protect victims of online abuse.

The bill responds to the alarming rise in deepfake technology, which allows individuals to create hyper-realistic images and videos with minimal technical skills. This technology has been linked to various forms of digital abuse, including humiliation, harassment, and blackmail, with serious implications for victims' mental health and safety. Proponents of the bill highlighted the urgent need for legal frameworks that reflect the realities of modern technology and its potential for harm.

Jessica Dotter, representing the Colorado District Attorney's Council, emphasized the necessity of protecting individuals from technological abuse, which can be as damaging as physical violence. She pointed out that the bill includes provisions to criminalize the non-consensual sharing of private images and updates definitions in the criminal code to encompass AI-generated exploitative content involving children.

Commander Daniel Thompson from the Colorado Springs Police Department shared alarming statistics about the increase in reported cyber tips related to child exploitation, noting a 20% annual rise since 2020. He stressed that current laws are inadequate to address the complexities of digitally manipulated materials, which can normalize abuse and facilitate grooming behaviors.

The meeting also featured testimony from various stakeholders, including law enforcement officials and legal experts, who expressed strong support for the bill. They underscored the need for updated statutes to combat the exploitation of children and the misuse of AI technology in creating harmful content.

In conclusion, Senate Bill 288 represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by digital exploitation and the misuse of AI. As technology continues to evolve, lawmakers are urged to adapt legal frameworks to protect vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for those who exploit these advancements for malicious purposes. The committee's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive measures to safeguard individuals from the dangers of online abuse.