Purpose of the Bill

This bill introduces a new criminal offense in Minnesota related to the misuse of digital images and recordings. It aims to address the issue of individuals altering or manipulating images without consent, with the intent to deceive or harm others.

Main Provisions

• Definition of the Crime: The bill defines "digital picture and recording misrepresentation" as the act of intentionally altering a digital image or recording of another person or their property without their consent.
• Intent to Deceive: The bill specifies that the crime occurs when the altered image or recording is used in a way that leads others to believe the alterations were authorized by the original person or owner.
• Means of Distribution: The distribution methods covered include email, text messages, or online postings.
• Intent to Harm or Defraud: The alteration must be done with the intent to harm, defraud, or maliciously misrepresent the person in the image or an event, person, or property associated with them.

Significant Changes

• Criminal Penalty: The bill classifies digital picture and recording misrepresentation as a gross misdemeanor, introducing a specific legal penalty for this offense.

Relevant Terms

digital image manipulation, unauthorized image alteration, deceptive digital practices, gross misdemeanor, fraud, malicious misrepresentation, digital consent, altered recordings.