In today's polarized political landscape, it is rare to find issues that unite both sides of the aisle.
Yet, the misuse of pornography, particularly through the manipulation of deepfake technology, has emerged as a concern that transcends party lines. Lawmakers from both parties are rallying to protect victims from the damaging effects of non-consensual deepfake pornography.
As reported by The Hill, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a figure often at odds with Republican counterparts, has reintroduced a legislative measure aimed at providing legal recourse for victims of AI-generated deepfake pornography.
This bill, known as the DEFIANCE Act (Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits), seeks to empower victims to file civil lawsuits against those who create or distribute such harmful content.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the urgency of this legislation, stating, "Victims of nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes have waited too long for federal legislation to hold perpetrators accountable. As deepfakes become easier to access and create 96% of deepfake videos circulating online are nonconsensual pornography Congress needs to act to show victims that they wont be left behind."
The DEFIANCE Act is co-sponsored by a diverse group of legislators, including Democrat Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, alongside Republican Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Josh Hawley of Missouri.
This bipartisan effort underscores the shared commitment to addressing the exploitation of individuals through digital forgeries. Senator Durbin remarked, "Weve struck a remarkable bipartisan note this Congress on protecting Americans especially children from exploitation online. The deepfakes may not be real, but they cause very real harms. Its time to return power to the victims and give them a tool to demand justice from those responsible for these horrific images."
The reintroduction of the DEFIANCE Act follows closely on the heels of another significant legislative achievement in the realm of digital exploitation. In April, the House nearly unanimously passed the "Take It Down" Act, officially known as the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks. This legislation, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on May 19, with the support of First Lady Melania Trump, aims to provide broader protections against the non-consensual distribution of pornographic material.
The bipartisan support for these bills highlights a rare moment of unity in Congress, driven by a shared desire to protect individuals from the invasive and damaging effects of deepfake technology. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the need for robust legal frameworks to safeguard personal dignity and privacy becomes increasingly critical.
The DEFIANCE Act and the "Take It Down" Act represent significant steps toward ensuring that victims of digital exploitation have the means to seek justice and reclaim their reputations.
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