BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A federal judge late Wednesday blocked a law Governor Gavin Newsom signed earlier to restrict the use of so-called election "deepfakes." "Deepfakes" are manipulated images, audio, video or other forms of media appearing to show fake footage or recordings of candidates during events that never actually happened. Just two weeks ago, Newsom signed a law specifically requiring large, online platforms to remove deceptive and digitally-altered content related to the election. Aircraft crash reported in NW Bakersfield On Oct. 2, a U.S. District judge ruled against the law and argued it "unconstitutionally stifles the free and unfettered exchange of ideas." He did, however, allow for a portion of the law requiring those making digitally-altered audio recordings to disclose that their content has been manipulated. In a statement, Newsom's spokesperson defended the law as a necessity to protect democracy and expressed confidence that higher courts will ultimately uphold the law.