This week, Minnesota has introduced a groundbreaking law banning apps that can create fake nudes from real images. Developers could face hefty fines of up to $500,000 per flagged instance of such content, with proceeds going towards victim support services.

The bill was quickly passed by both the Senate and House, making Minnesota the first state to enact such legislation. Senator Erin Maye Quade introduced it after a case where one man had nudified images of over 80 women from his social circles.

RAINN, a national nonprofit that runs the National Sexual Assault Hotline, played a crucial role in drafting the bill, ensuring tech companies were consulted to avoid unintended consequences. The law specifically exempts more technical apps like Photoshop, which could be used for nudification but don’t automate it so easily.

The ban is set to take effect this August, aiming to protect users from the alarming ease with which undressing apps can harm countless individuals, mostly women and children worldwide. Critics might argue that such regulations stifle free expression, while supporters see them as a necessary step towards digital safety.