Thomson Reuters' comprehensive analysis examines how deepfakes created through generative adversarial networks pose significant risks including defamation, IP infringement, fraud, and election interference while tracking federal legislation like the DEEPFAKES Accountability Act and DEFIANCE Act. The assessment details state-level responses to high-profile incidents like the Pope Francis puffer coat deepfake and Taylor Swift explicit images while emphasizing business protection strategies against AI-enabled phishing and social engineering attacks. This authoritative regulatory analysis demonstrates the evolving legal landscape as governments seek to balance free expression with protection against digital forgeries that threaten democracy and individual rights.