A bill that would allow victims of non-consensual deepfake AI pornography to sue those who produce, distribute, or solicit such material has passed the US Senate but is languishing in the House of Representatives. The DEFIANCE Act, sponsored by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Republican Representative Laurel Lee, was approved unanimously in the Senate earlier this year.
Despite backing from House Speaker Mike Johnson and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the legislation has not advanced to a vote in the House Judiciary Committee. Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that some Republicans may be blocking the bill because of personal animosity towards her. “I don't think that we should be emboldening child pornographers and helping abusers just because of some personal beef,” she said.
The congresswoman noted that victims currently have no right to advocate for themselves legally, even after the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which prohibits publication of non-consensual sexual images and requires platforms to remove them. Ocasio-Cortez praised that law but said it does not go far enough.
Deepfake AI pornography has affected numerous female politicians, including Ocasio-Cortez herself. She argued that such abuse aims to silence women in public life. The DEFIANCE Act would provide a civil remedy for all victims, regardless of gender.
