New Jersey
New Jersey has been at the forefront of deepfake legislation, with multiple bills addressing both non-consensual intimate imagery and election deepfakes. The state's Division of Civil Rights has actively pursued enforcement, and Governor Sherrill's administration has prioritized technology-facilitated abuse as a key policy area. NJ was among the first states to specifically address AI-generated content in its revenge porn statutes.
Legislation
Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery
Enacted3rd degree crime (3-5 years) for creating/using deepfakes to commit crimes; 4th degree (up to 18 months) for reckless disclosure. Enhanced penalties for child exploitation (1st or 2nd degree). Covers production AND dissemination. Catalyst: Westfield High School incident.
Election Deepfakes
EnactedHome state of NCADA. Francesca Mani / Westfield case was catalyst for NJ legislation.
Documented Incidents
Teaneck, NJ (police warning)
OtherFebruary 25, 2026
Not specified (general community warning)
Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr issued a public letter warning that students may be using AI tools to generate explicit images of classmates. Granted amnesty period through March 2, 2026, after which prosecution threatened under endangering-the-welfare-of-a-child statute.
Outcome: Amnesty period granted through March 2, 2026. No arrests or charges reported as of April 2026.
Daily VoiceWestfield High School, Westfield
LegalOctober 2025
A 17-year-old New Jersey girl (and other girls at Westfield High School)
A 17-year-old New Jersey girl sued the developers of ClothOff, an AI 'nudify' tool, after a classmate used it to create fake nude images of her and other girls at Westfield High School. The suit names AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. and Telegram.
Outcome: Lawsuit filed.
TechCrunchWestfield High School, Westfield
SchoolOctober 20, 2023
30+ female students, all 10th-grade girls aged approximately 14–15
Male sophomore students at Westfield High School used the ClothOff AI app to create fake nude images of over 30 female classmates from their social media photos. The hyper-realistic images were distributed via Snapchat group chats. The incident was discovered when a boy inadvertently told one of the targeted girls.
Outcome: The primary perpetrator received a one-day in-school suspension. A federal lawsuit was filed against a classmate, and another against ClothOff itself.
CNNWestfield High School, Westfield
SchoolOctober 2023
multiple female students
Male students at Westfield High School distributed deepfake nude images of female classmates. Francesca Mani became a national activist. No criminal charges filed.
Outcome: No charges; led to NJ legislation push
cnn.comTake Action
Contact your state senator to support strengthening SB 3214's enforcement provisions
Report deepfake abuse to the NJ Division of Civil Rights
Urge your school district to adopt NCADA's deepfake abuse response protocol