State posture profileTennessee

Tennessee digital reality posture profile

Public-source posture estimateNot legal adviceState reviewed2026-07-07 · 7 July 2026

This page summarizes six tracked digital safety topics for Tennessee, showing where public legislative coverage currently looks more proactive, more reactive, broader, or thinner. It is a structural posture signal based on public disclosures, not a political or legal grade.

Educational summary only

Not legal advice. Laws and enforcement change frequently. Verify current official statutes, regulations, and counsel where needed.

Overall state posture signal

Mixed posture with narrow tracked coverage.

Based on six tracked topics and public disclosures.

Low confidence6 tracked topics

Posture meter

Lean and breadth across six tracked topics. Not a quality or political score.

Mixed posture
ReactiveMixedProactive

Lean

Mixed posture

Breadth

Narrow tracked coverage

State/topic detailTennessee

Tennessee Synthetic Explicit Content law summary

Specific rule in effect.

Based on direct statute tracking.

Tennessee makes it a crime to create or share sexually explicit "deepfake" images of a real person without consent, and it treats AI- or computer-generated child sexual abuse material like imagery of a real child. The Preventing Deepfake Images Act (HB 1299 / SB 1346, Public Chapter 466), signed May 9, 2025, defines a deepfake as media generated or manipulated by artificial intelligence to realistically portray something that did not actually occur, and makes nonconsensual disclosure of an "intimate digital depiction" a Class E felony with civil damages up to $150,000. A companion law (SB 741, Public Chapter 257) criminalizes possessing, distributing, or producing the tools built to generate AI child sexual abuse material. Based on public records, both laws took effect July 1, 2025.

Educational summary only

Not legal advice. Laws and enforcement change frequently. Verify current official statutes, regulations, and counsel where needed.

Why this status

Based on direct statute tracking.

What this means

  • Tennessee has an enacted, in-effect deepfake statute (Public Chapter 466) that specifically reaches AI-generated sexually explicit images of real people, alongside an in-effect law (Public Chapter 257) targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse material tools.

What to do next

  • Read the cited statute or bill text linked below to confirm the specifics for your state.

Citation-grade sources

Official sources

3
  • TN General Assembly — HB 1299 / SB 1346 (Preventing Deepfake Images Act), Public Chapter 466

    Official text

    Citation: HB 1299 / SB 1346 caption is 'relative to the unauthorized use of deepfake or actual likeness'; passed both chambers April 2025, signed by Gov. Lee May 9, 2025, became Public Chapter 466, effective July 1, 2025.

    Observed: 2026-07-07
    Open source
  • TN General Assembly — HB 1299 enrolled bill text (PDF)

    Official text

    Citation: Official enrolled-bill PDF for HB 1299 / SB 1346 resolved (60.9KB), header 'SENATE BILL 1346 By Yarbro / HOUSE BILL 1299 By Lamberth'; source text of the Preventing Deepfake Images Act.

    Observed: 2026-07-07
    Open source
  • TN General Assembly — SB 741 (AI-generated CSAM tools), Public Chapter 257

    Official text

    Citation: SB 0741 (Yager), Public Chapter 257, criminalizes possessing/distributing/producing technology designed to create material that includes a minor engaged in sexual or simulated sexual activity; signed April 29, 2025, effective July 1, 2025.

    Observed: 2026-07-07
    Open source

Provenance

Source basis

Official/public links curated

Confidence

High confidence

Review scope

Review centered on currently tracked state-level law

Last reviewed

2026-07-07 · 7 July 2026

References

  • TN General Assembly — HB 1299 / SB 1346 (Preventing Deepfake Images Act), Public Chapter 466

  • TN General Assembly — HB 1299 enrolled bill text (PDF)

  • TN General Assembly — SB 741 (AI-generated CSAM tools), Public Chapter 257

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