Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens federal remedies and deterrence against nonconsensual intimate-image distribution—giving victims restitution and making interstate online prosecutions easier—while creating greater liability and compliance costs for platforms, adding legal complexity that risks over‑criminalization, and leaving exemptions that raise civil‑liberties concerns.
Adults whose intimate images are shared without consent—especially women and young adults—gain a federal criminal remedy, the ability to seek restitution, and clearer ability to have perpetrators prosecuted across state lines.
The bill requires forfeiture of offending materials and proceeds, removing illicit gains from offenders and creating a financial deterrent to nonconsensual intimate-image distribution.
Clarifies key legal definitions (e.g., 'communications service', 'intimate visual depiction'), helping platforms, providers, and state/local governments understand legal boundaries and apply the law more consistently.
Communications platforms and online services face increased compliance risk and potential liability for user content unless they can demonstrate they did not solicit or predominantly distribute the content.
Broad or overlapping definitions and cross-references to sex‑trafficking and child‑pornography statutes increase legal complexity and risk over‑criminalization of borderline or ambiguous content.
Exemptions for law enforcement, intelligence, and correctional activities could permit intrusive surveillance or government use of intimate images without penalty, raising civil‑liberties concerns.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a new federal crime banning nonconsensual capture, distribution, or facilitation of intimate visual depictions of adults and sets penalties, definitions, and exemptions.
Introduced February 11, 2025 by Amy Klobuchar · Last progress February 11, 2025
Creates a new federal criminal law that bans the nonconsensual capture, distribution, or facilitation of intimate visual images of people age 18 or older, and sets criminal penalties (fines and imprisonment). It defines key terms (like “intimate visual depiction,” “communications service,” and “reasonable expectation of privacy”) by referencing existing federal definitions and preserves exemptions for lawful law‑enforcement, correctional, and intelligence activities. The text adds a new chapter and statute to Title 18 to describe covered conduct, who is protected, what types of services are covered (including carriers, electronic communication services, and online platforms), and the definitions that determine how the law applies in practice.