Mace Introduces Bill Aimed to Combat the Growing Threat of Deepfake Pornography
(Washington, D.C.) - Representative Mace (SC-01) introduced a groundbreaking bill, "Protect Victims of Digital Exploitation and Manipulation Act of 2024," which seeks to amend title 18, United States Code, prohibiting the production or distribution of non-consensual, deepfake pornography. The bill currently has three cosponsors: Rep. Luna (FL-13), Rep. Gaetz (FL-01, and Rep. Good (VA-05).
The proposed legislation is a response to the increasing prevalence of digital forgeries that manipulate or create intimate visual depictions without the consent of identifiable individuals such as celebrities and public figures. These actions can lead to severe emotional, psychological, and reputational harm to victims.
"The Protect Victims of Digital Exploitation and Manipulation Act of 2024 is a crucial step toward safeguarding individuals from the harmful effects of deepfakes,” said Rep. Mace. “It addresses a gap in our legal framework and provides necessary protections for those targeted by bad actors and online predators. By introducing this legislation, we are sending a clear message that digital exploitation and manipulation will not be tolerated."
“I've long stood with women who are victims and targets of sex crimes, and now, deepfakes present a chilling new wave of abuse,” said Rep. Luna. “There is also an alarming rate in deepfake child pornography that is leading to a rise in attacks against children. I'm proud to co-sponsor this legislation to ensure we bring those who abuse this technology to justice. With this legislation, we’re not reacting; we’re taking a proactive stance against the threat of digital exploitation.”
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. Prohibition of Digital Forgeries: The bill introduces Section 1802 to title 18, United States Code, making it an offense to knowingly or recklessly produce or distribute digital forgeries of intimate visual depictions of identifiable individuals without their consent.
2. Exceptions: The legislation provides exceptions for disclosures made in good faith to law enforcement, legal proceedings, medical education or treatment, and reporting or investigation of unlawful content or unsolicited conduct.
3. Definitions: The bill clearly defines terms such as consent, digital forgery, identifiable individual, intimate visual depiction, sexually explicit conduct, communications service, and information content provider to ensure clarity and effective enforcement.
4. Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: The bill establishes extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over offenses, ensuring accountability for both alleged offenders and identifiable individuals who are U.S. nationals.
5. Severability: Section 3 of the bill emphasizes the severability of its provisions, ensuring that any unconstitutional finding will not affect other valid provisions.
For media inquiries, please contact: Gabrielle.Lipsky@mail.house.gov
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