You cannot use Runway to make fake videos or images of real people that are designed to trick people into thinking they are real, or to impersonate someone without their permission.
This analysis describes what Runway's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision directly addresses one of the most significant societal risks associated with AI video and image generation tools: the creation of deceptive synthetic media depicting real individuals, including public figures and private persons.
Interpretive note: The provision's reliance on intent to deceive as the operative standard creates interpretive ambiguity, as intent may be difficult to establish at the point of content generation, and application varies across jurisdictions with different deepfake statute standards.
The terms prohibit creating deepfakes or synthetic media intended to deceive or to impersonate real individuals without consent, which establishes a clear boundary on AI-generated content that could be used for fraud, defamation, or manipulation.
How other platforms handle this
You must not submit any user content to Anker's Services that is or has ever been the subject of any threatened or actual legal proceedings or other similar complaints.
you will not provide a Rating or Review for any Merchant or business for which you have an ownership interest, employment relationship, or other affiliation...you will not submit a Rating or Review in exchange for payment, free food items, or other benefits
In assessing misuse, we consider factors such as evidence that a report was motivated by bias or hatred (e.g., based on protected characteristics such as race, sexual orientation, or gender identity) or other malicious intent.
"You may not use Runway's tools to create synthetic media — including but not limited to deepfakes — that are intended to deceive viewers into thinking the content is real, or to impersonate real individuals without their consent in a misleading way.Excerpt from Runway's Usage Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages state-level deepfake statutes in California (AB 602, AB 730 addressing non-consensual deepfake pornography and election-related deepfakes), Texas (HB 4337), and Virginia.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form
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This provision directly addresses one of the most significant societal risks associated with AI video and image generation tools: the creation of deceptive synthetic media depicting real individuals, including public figures and private persons.
The terms prohibit creating deepfakes or synthetic media intended to deceive or to impersonate real individuals without consent, which establishes a clear boundary on AI-generated content that could be used for fraud, defamation, or manipulation.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 142 platforms. See the full comparison.
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