The U.S. House of Representatives has recently passed a bipartisan bill aimed at criminalizing the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit images, including AI-generated deepfakes. This legislation also mandates platforms to remove such content swiftly. President Trump is expected to sign this measure soon.
Pennsylvania Senator Tracy Pennycuick, who chairs the Pennsylvania Senate Communications and Technology Committee, expressed support for the federal action. She introduced similar legislation at the state level, known as Senate Bill 568. Pennycuick stated, “I applaud Congress and President Trump for taking swift action to address this important issue nationwide.”
The rise in unauthorized sharing of intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes online has been concerning. Victims often struggle to have these images removed from websites and social media platforms, which leads to further trauma due to their continued circulation.
Pennycuick highlighted that while some social media platforms attempt to remove these images in good faith, there is no universal standard for prompt removal currently in place. The new legislation requires social media platforms and similar websites to take down non-consensual and unauthorized intimate images within 48 hours of notification. It also necessitates maintaining a clear webpage where victims can request removals.
As incidents of cyberbullying and online harassment increase, providing victims with a way to quickly remove harmful content remains crucial.
