Defiance Act
by Bryanna Rivera
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As AI becomes more advanced by the minute, there are major repercussions. Fake videos, images, and documents are being created daily, gradually blurring the line between human-made and artificially created content. AI is debated by many; critics claim that legislation and policy fail to keep up with the rapid technological advancements. Organizations like the UN are scrambling for ways to govern this newfound problem. AI-generated fake images constantly damage people’s public reputations. One of the biggest targets of AI imaging is a particularly vulnerable group: young women. Sexually explicit deepfakes have become much easier to produce. With the click of a button, a young woman’s life can be ruined. It’s not just humiliation; it’s harassment.
This is an increasingly pressing issue that should be addressed immediately. So, what’s being done about it?
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (D‑NY) and Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R‑FL) proposed the Defiance Act, which seeks to establish a legal remedy for victims of non‑consensual AI‑generated imagery. Identifiable individuals in these images (people whose faces are placed on fake bodies) can seek equitable relief, including a restraining order, a preliminary injunction (a court order issued before a final judgment that compels a party to stop a specific action to preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable harm), or a permanent injunction ordering the defendant to delete, destroy, or cease to display or disclose the intimate visual depiction or intimate digital forgery. In addition, an individual may recover up to $250,000 depending on the circumstances and extent of the harm. Further protections in the act prevent class-action procedures from exposing victims: plaintiffs may use a pseudonym, and parties are required to redact the plaintiff’s personally identifying information from any public documentation.
This act is a meaningful victory for young women — a group often overlooked in legislation and too frequently not taken seriously. Many women-led organizations have spoken publicly in support, including She’s in Office, the National Women’s Law Center, the Sexual Violence Prevention Association, and others. Public figures such as Paris Hilton have also advocated for the bill. Feminists and other advocates are cheering the act.
Lawmakers, members of the Cabinet, and advocates urge the House of Representatives to advance the legislation to provide stronger protections for deepfake victims. This bipartisan advocacy can help minimize digital exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals.
Do you want to be part of the change? Advocate for the Defiance Act by speaking out against deepfakes, contacting your representatives to encourage a “yes” vote, and staying updated on House votes and pending legislation.
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