Tell Congress to pass The DEFIANCE Act
The DEFIANCE Act will address and prevent nonconsensual deepfake pornography.
Across the country, people are being victimized by AI-generated pornography. Over 98% of deepfakes on the internet are explicit. This digital form of sexual violence violates victims’ consent, autonomy, and privacy. Currently, there are no federal laws addressing civil recourse for deepfake pornography. Victims are unable to get justice. This problem is increasing due to the lack of consequences. We worked with victims and Congress to draft the DEFIANCE Act. This bipartisan legislation will provide a civil right of action for victims to seek justice, thus addressing and preventing nonconsensual deepfake pornography.
Updates
Introduced in the House
05/21/2025
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) alongside Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL-15) introduced the bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2025 (DEFIANCE Act). The bill was also introduced in the Senate on the same day.
Introduced in the Senate
05/21/2025
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2025 (DEFIANCE Act). The bill was also introduced in the House on the same day.
Congressional Session Ended
01/03/2025
The 118th Congressional session (2023-2024) ended. The DEFIANCE Act passed the Senate but had not passed the House. Thus, the bill died. The legislative process will be restarted in the new session. The DEFIANCE Act will be re-introduced in the House and Senate.
Passed in the Senate
07/24/2024
The Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act) passed unanimously in the Senate. This demonstrates that Congress is unified in their determination to confront non-consensual deepfake pornography via the DEFIANCE Act.
Introduced in the House
03/07/2024
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act). It was cosponsored by Representatives Garcia (CA-27), Mace (SC-1), Chavez De-Remer (OR-5), Miller (OH-7) Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Lieu (CA-36), Raskin (MD-8), and Ross (NC-2).
Introduced in the Senate
01/30/2024
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act).
06/21/2023
60 organizations dedicated to sexual violence, women’s rights, and victim advocacy signed including National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Feminist Majority Foundation, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, UltaViolet, National Women’s Political Caucus, and multiple chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Endorsers
For organizations that want to endorse the DEFIANCE Act, click here.
