Two new laws signed by Governor Janet Mills this month aim to protect Maine residents from the rising misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in both intimate abuse and consumer deception.
The measures, sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, expand Maine’s legal protections in response to growing concerns about AI-generated content, including “deepfakes” and deceptive chatbots.
One law, LD 1944, updates the state’s “revenge porn” statute to explicitly include AI-generated intimate images. Under the new language, individuals who distribute non-consensual synthetic images of others can now be subject to civil protection orders for abuse or harassment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called the spread of such content a “clear, present and evolving threat,” with pornographic deepfake videos making up the vast majority of AI-generated visual content online.
“Non-consensual AI-generated intimate images are increasingly common and convincing,” Kuhn said. “By updating definitions and closing legal gaps, we are ensuring that Maine’s laws protect all individuals from technology-facilitated sexual abuse.”
A second law, LD 1727, targets commercial deception involving AI chatbots. It prohibits businesses from using AI-driven bots in a way that misleads consumers into thinking they are speaking with a real person. Companies must clearly disclose when a chatbot is artificial intelligence, or face potential enforcement under Maine’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Kuhn, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said the bill promotes transparency and protects both consumers and small businesses from manipulation by humanlike AI systems.
Both laws are set to take effect 90 days after June 25.
Maine joins a growing number of states prevening AI abuse and deception by seeking to close legal loopholes as AI technologies become more accessible and harder to detect—posing new risks to privacy, trust, and public safety.
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