Mississippi Attorney General threatens Senate candidate over AI ads

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has notified Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom that his campaign may have violated state laws regarding the use of AI-generated deepfakes in election advertisements. The investigation follows the use of synthesized content, including a fake phone call involving incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, in campaign social media posts.

Fitch issued a formal request for Colom to remove the materials by October 23, 2026, to avoid legal injunctions. The Attorney General noted that violations of Mississippi law concerning deepfakes could result in fines of up to $10,000 and potential imprisonment for up to one year.

Colom’s campaign has since complied with the request and deleted the posts. Colom characterized the legal move as an attempt by the incumbent and her allies to “weaponize the justice system” to divert attention from policy issues.