H.F. 1606 / Laws 2026, chapter 72: prohibition on nudification technology (Minn. Stat. 325E.91)

Summary

A 2026 Minnesota law aimed at the services that make AI-generated nude images rather than only at the people who share them. A person who owns or controls a website, application, software, program or other service must not let a user access, download or use it to nudify an image or video of an identifiable individual, or nudify an image on a user's behalf; advertising or promoting such a service is also banned. To nudify means to alter or generate an image to show an intimate part not in the original, realistically enough that a reasonable person would believe it belongs to the person. Services that require a user's own substantial technical or artistic skill are exempt. A depicted person may sue for up to three times actual damages, including mental anguish, punitive damages, an injunction and fees. The Attorney General may enforce it, with a civil penalty of up to $500,000 for each unlawful access, download or use; penalties fund grants for crime-victim services. xAI has challenged the law in federal court; the judge refused a temporary restraining order and, in early September 2026, a preliminary injunction, so the law remains in effect while the case continues.

Key dates

1. May 7, 2026Enacted
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. prohibiting access to nudification technology

   Supports: Act number and subject

   A person who owns or controls a website, application, software, program, or other service must not:

   Supports: Core prohibition

   a person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500,000 for each unlawful access, download, or use under subdivision 2.

   Supports: Civil penalty

   This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to causes of action accruing on or after that date.

   Supports: Effective date

   Presented to the governor May 6, 2026 Signed by the governor May 7, 2026

   Supports: Signing date

   Laws of Minnesota 2026, chapter 72 (H.F. 1606) Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes Primary source

2. denying xAI's follow-up request for a preliminary injunction, meaning the law stays in place as the constitutional challenge continues through the courts.

   Supports: Litigation status, September 2026

   Minnesota's AI nudification ban remains in effect after legal challenge from xAI FOX 9 (KMSP-TV) Reporting or analysis