ICYMI: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DWC Policy Co-Chair Ayanna Pressley, actor and activist Sophia Bush, and the Sexual Violence Prevention Association Discussed the Rise of Nonconsensual, Sexually Explicit Deepfake Pornography
Washington, D.C. — This week Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and DWC Policy Co-Chair Ayanna Pressley (MA-06) hosted a roundtable on sexually-explicit deepfake pornography and what Congress can do to address this devastating epidemic. They were joined by actor and activist Sophia Bush, and Omny Miranda Martone, CEO and Founder of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA).
At the roundtable, which took place just days before the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Pressley, Sophia Bush, and Omny Miranda Martone led a discussion with DWC members on the harms of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake pornography, its impact on survivors, and the ways Congress and the White House can address it. Nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake pornography has devastatingly swept the internet in recent years and it almost exclusively targets women and girls.
Members and participants discussed the urgent need to pass the DEFIANCE Act, legislation led by Rep Ocasio-Cortez in the House of Representatives. The bill unanimously passed in the Senate in July.
The legislation will create a federal civil right of action for victims of “digital forgery” in which their likeness is created using software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or any other computer-generated or technological means to falsely appear to be authentic. The full bill text is available here.
In March, the Democratic Women’s Caucus endorsed the legislation.
The Members and roundtable participants explained the perils of this issue, and urged congressional action to put a stop to it:
“Today, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, and survivors came together to discuss the urgent need for action against a rising tidal wave of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. Over 90% of all deepfake videos made are nonconsensual sexually explicit images, and women are the targets 9 times out of 10. The DEFIANCE Act grants survivors the right to take civil action against individuals who knowingly produce, distribute, or receive nonconsensual sexually-explicit digital forgeries. The bill has already passed the Senate unanimously and I'm working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House of Representatives to get this bill to the President’s desk now,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14).
“The rise of nonconsensual deepfake pornography is a grave threat and Congress must act. Each day that goes by without comprehensive legislation, more victims are intimidated, degraded, dehumanized, and traumatized” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-06). “I was grateful to join my sister-in-service Rep. Ocasio Cortez, Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues, and our advocates to shine a light on this critical issue and discuss how we can confront it. This is a survivors’ justice issue and we must move with urgency.”
“As both a tech investor, and an Executive Producer of the Emmy-nominated documentary, Another Body, which explores this issue, I was honored to be part of today’s roundtable on this important discussion. We are living in a world where too many people, women especially, are being targeted through nefarious applications of technology. My hope is that the House follows the Senate by passing this monumental legislation that will give victims a means to finding protection and justice,” said Sophia Bush.
"I appreciate this forum to discuss solutions to address the devastating harms of deepfake pornography. As a victim, I know firsthand that our current laws are failing survivors. There are two traumas with deepfake porn. The trauma of it happening and the trauma of realizing there are no options to seek justice. In my case, this led to repeat attacks from the same person. This roundtable has highlighted that I am not alone,” Omny Miranda Martone said. “Congress needs to take action for victims. The Senate already took a major step towards supporting survivors by unanimously passing the DEFIANCE Act. Now, in order to prevent deepfake pornography, we need the House to do the same."
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