Georgia Considers Criminalizing AI-Generated Obscene Images

Proposed legislation would make it a felony to use AI to create explicit images of people without consent

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:07pm

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Georgia state senators are considering a proposal to make it a felony to use AI apps to create obscene, computer-generated images of real people without their consent. The bill would punish such 'virtual peeping' with up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for adults, and up to 20 years and a $100,000 fine for minors.

Why it matters

This legislation aims to address the growing threat of AI-powered deepfakes and other synthetic media that can be used to violate people's privacy and dignity. As the technology becomes more advanced and accessible, there are increasing concerns about the potential for abuse and the need for legal protections.

The details

The proposed bill, Senate Bill 398, was introduced by state Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia. It would criminalize the use of AI to generate obscene images of adults without their consent, as well as the creation of such images of minors. Several civil rights groups have raised concerns that the bill could be too broad, potentially criminalizing the actions of minors or infringing on protected forms of expression like satire and parody.

  • The Georgia state Senate Judiciary subcommittee discussed the bill on Monday, February 4, 2026.
  • Legislators said they will continue working on the bill, and it didn't receive a vote on Monday.

The players

Bo Hatchett

A Republican state senator from Cornelia, Georgia, and the sponsor of Senate Bill 398.

Cindy Battles

The policy director for The Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda, a civil rights group that expressed concerns about the bill.

Harold Jones II

The Democratic Minority Leader in the Georgia state Senate, who said the bill is necessary because "technology is getting beyond our criminal justice system."

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What they’re saying

“You shouldn't have to be afraid to post an image of yourself online. You shouldn't be afraid to have a picture of yourself in a yearbook and have that photograph used in the ways that people are using them now. There needs to be some protections in the law, and I think they need to be harsh punishments.”

— Bo Hatchett, State Senator (The Current GA)

“Sixteen-year-old boys are dumb. You have a tool that will very easily create a naked image, and you're telling a 16-year-old boy whose brain is barely fully formed, certainly not their frontal lobe, that they cannot do that thing. I don't think a 16-year-old child should be charged with a felony for having an image that they created using AI.”

— Cindy Battles, Policy Director, The Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda (The Current GA)

“This is what we ought to be doing with our time because technology is getting beyond our criminal justice system.”

— Harold Jones II, Minority Leader, Georgia State Senate (The Current GA)

What’s next

Legislators said they will continue working on the bill, and Hatchett plans to present a new version of the bill next week.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the growing challenges posed by emerging technologies like AI-powered deepfakes, and the need for policymakers to balance privacy protections with safeguards for free expression. As the technology continues to advance, more comprehensive and nuanced approaches may be required to address these complex issues.