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The AUP prohibits use of Stock Avatars in television programs, news broadcasts, fundraising activities, political campaigns, or commentary on polarizing topics without written consent from Synthesia; Custom Avatar use in these contexts requires both an eligible service plan and individual consent.
This analysis describes what Synthesia'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 restricts a category of high-risk synthetic media deployment involving political, journalistic, and public interest content, and establishes a consent-gated framework that differentiates between Stock and Custom Avatar use cases across service tiers.
Interpretive note: The phrase 'topics that may be polarizing or sensitive to certain demographics' is not defined in the AUP, creating interpretive uncertainty about the scope of content subject to the consent requirement.
Under this clause, organizations using Synthesia for political communications, news production, or commentary on sensitive current events must obtain written authorization from Synthesia before deploying Stock Avatars in those contexts. Custom Avatar use for these purposes requires both plan eligibility and individual consent from the depicted person.
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"Using a Stock Avatar in a TV program, news broadcast, fundraise or political campaign, or in the dissemination of any commentary around current events, politics or topics that may be polarizing or sensitive to certain demographics, absent written consent from Synthesia - in the case of a Custom Avatar, you may do so only on certain Services plans and with appropriate consent from the individual.Excerpt from Synthesia's Acceptable Use Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages election integrity and campaign finance regulations in the US, EU, and UK, where the use of AI-generated synthetic media in political advertising is subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny. The EU AI Act classifies certain AI systems used to influence elections as high-risk, requiring additional compliance measures. In the US, the FTC's guidance on deceptive advertising and the FEC's evolving rules on AI in political advertising are relevant. UK Ofcom's Online Safety Act framework addresses harmful synthetic media in public interest contexts. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. The use of AI-generated avatars in political or news contexts without appropriate disclosure is a focus area for regulators across multiple jurisdictions. The consent requirement places a contractual gating mechanism on these use cases, but compliance with underlying regulatory obligations for political advertising disclosure and synthetic media labeling remains the user's independent responsibility. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU organizations should assess this provision against the EU AI Act's high-risk classification for AI systems used in democratic processes. US organizations using Synthesia for political communications should consult FEC guidance on AI-generated content in political advertising. UK organizations should assess compliance with the UK Elections Act and Ofcom's synthetic media guidance. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise customers operating in political communications, public affairs, or journalism should ensure that their service agreements include any necessary standing consents from Synthesia for these use cases, and should document the consent pathway for Custom Avatar deployments. The AUP does not specify a process or timeline for obtaining written consent from Synthesia, which may create operational uncertainty. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Organizations producing political or news-adjacent content should establish a pre-production review process that confirms avatar type, service plan eligibility, and consent status before any Synthesia-generated content is distributed publicly. Legal teams should seek clarification from Synthesia on what constitutes topics that are polarizing or sensitive to certain demographics, as this term is not defined in the AUP.
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This provision restricts a category of high-risk synthetic media deployment involving political, journalistic, and public interest content, and establishes a consent-gated framework that differentiates between Stock and Custom Avatar use cases across service tiers.
Under this clause, organizations using Synthesia for political communications, news production, or commentary on sensitive current events must obtain written authorization from Synthesia before deploying Stock Avatars in those contexts. Custom Avatar use for these purposes requires both plan eligibility and individual consent from the depicted person.
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