S. 2559 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a task force to address digital content forgeries, also known as “deepfakes.” These forgeries manipulate digital content, such as videos, with the intent to mislead the viewer. The task force would investigate the feasibility of deploying standards and technologies for verifying the origin and history of digital content. The bill also would require DHS to develop a national strategy to address threats posed by digital content forgeries in consultation with federal agencies and private and non-profit organizations. The task force would submit an initial report to the Congress on its findings and recommendations after one year, transmit a final report six months later, and terminate three months after the final report is submitted.
The task force would consist of 12 members, including two chairpersons from relevant federal agencies. The other 10 members would include two additional federal employees and eight representatives from non-profit or private organizations or institutions of higher education. The bill would allow members to be reimbursed for travel expenses. Using information about the cost of similar entities, CBO estimates DHS would need $3 million over the 2022-2026 period for staff, travel, and other administrative expenses to operate the task force. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
