Federal Appeals Court Halts Minnesota AI 'Nudification' Law During xAI Appeal
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted xAI an injunction pausing enforcement of Minnesota's AI "nudification" law on Friday, October 2, 2026, halting penalties while xAI's appeal moves forward.[1]
The appeals court issued a one-sentence order with no explanation.[1] It reversed a lower court's early September decision that had refused to block enforcement.[1]
xAI filed its lawsuit three days before the law's August 1, 2026 effective date, arguing the statute is an overbroad, content-based violation of the First Amendment.[1]
Minnesota's first-of-its-kind statute bans using AI to turn real images into sexual or pornographic depictions and allows civil penalties up to $500,000 plus damages for victims.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted xAI an injunction pausing enforcement of Minnesota's AI 'nudification' law.
- The appeals court issued a brief, one-sentence order with no explanation, reversing a lower court's early September decision that had refused to block enforcement.
- Minnesota's first-of-its-kind law bans using AI to turn real images into sexual or pornographic depictions and allows civil penalties up to $500,000 plus damages for victims.
- xAI filed its lawsuit three days before the law’s August 1, 2026 effective date, claiming the statute is an overbroad, content-based violation of the First Amendment.
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