“This week, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation to criminalize the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit photos and videos of individuals, including A.I.-generated deepfake images and to mandate that platforms quickly remove them. President Trump is expected to sign the measure in the near future.
As Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Communications and Technology Committee who introduced similar legislation this year at the state level (Senate Bill 568), I applaud Congress and President Trump for taking swift action to address this important issue nationwide.
In recent years, we’ve seen a disturbing rise in the unauthorized sharing of intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes online. Victims often face significant challenges in having these images removed from websites and social media platforms, leading to continued circulation and repeated trauma.
While some social media platforms often make good faith efforts to remove these images, there is currently no universal standard requiring prompt removal.
This legislation, which is mirrored in SB 568, will address this issue by requiring social media platforms and similar websites to remove non-consensual and unauthorized intimate images within 48 hours of notification. Additionally, these platforms would be required to maintain a clear, user-friendly webpage where victims can submit removal requests.
As cyberbullying and online harassment continue to become increasingly prevalent, ensuring a pathway for victims to rapidly remove harmful content is essential.
Our work at the state level continues on issues around AI, including a digital forgery bill (SB 649), an AI disclosure bill requiring a clear and conspicuous disclaimer whenever AI-generated images, audio, video, or text are used to market or sell consumer goods, as well as protecting our elections from AI interference.”
CONTACT: Matt Szuchyt (215) 541-2388