The Illinois Digital Voice and Likeness Protection Act (HB 4762, Public Act 103-0830) protects workers and performers from signing away their digital selves. It targets the contract clauses that would let an employer replace a person’s actual work with an AI-generated stand-in.
How the Illinois Digital Voice and Likeness Act Works
A contract provision that lets an employer use an AI-generated digital replica of a person’s voice, image, or likeness in place of the person’s actual work is unenforceable unless two conditions are met. The contract must specifically describe how the replica will be used, and the person must have been represented by a lawyer or a labor union in the negotiation.
Scope and Definitions
The law applies to agreements signed after its effective date. It defines a digital replica as an AI representation realistic enough that a reasonable observer would believe it is the real person. Employers and studios using talent in Illinois should update contract templates so replica clauses spell out intended uses and confirm the worker had representation.
Source: Illinois General Assembly: HB 4762
Report a violation: If you believe a business is violating this law, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud Bureau.
