Lawmakers from both chambers of Congress have reintroduced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act — known as the DEFIANCE Act — aimed at combating the surging threat of non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfake imagery.

Led by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15) in the House, and Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the Senate, the legislation seeks to give survivors a federal civil right of action against those who knowingly create, distribute, or solicit sexually exploitative AI-generated content without consent.

“We are reintroducing the DEFIANCE Act to grant survivors and victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography the legal right to pursue justice,” said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. “I am proud to lead this legislation… to provide victims with the federal protections they deserve.”

With the rise of AI-generated content, disturbing cases involving women and even minors have prompted urgent calls for legislative safeguards.

“I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan DEFIANCE Act,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “We’ve seen stories across the country of women and girls as young as 12 years old victimized by this new and growing form of sexual violence. The time for action is now.”

Building on momentum from the recently signed TAKE IT DOWN Act, the DEFIANCE Act is designed to close critical gaps in digital sexual abuse laws by targeting creators, distributors, and enablers of deepfake pornographic content.

“Although the imagery may be fake, the harm to the victims is very real,” said Sen. Durbin. “Victims have lost their jobs, their reputations, and many have suffered from life-altering depression or anxiety… We’re giving power back to the victims.”

Survivor advocates praised the bill as a turning point in digital safety and justice.

“As a survivor of deepfake pornography, I know the trauma of having your body and identity manipulated and weaponized,” said Omny Miranda Martone, Founder & CEO of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association. “With the number of deepfakes doubling every six months—and over 98% of them being pornographic—we are in a crisis. This bipartisan bill… is not just necessary—it’s urgent.”

The legislation is backed by a broad coalition, including the National Women’s Law Center, RAINN, UltraViolet, and My Image My Choice.

“The DEFIANCE Act is the right solution — and now is the right time,” said Stefan Turkheimer, VP of Public Policy at RAINN. “Survivors deserve a clear path to civil justice… and the power to hold offenders accountable.”

Co-sponsors span a diverse political spectrum, demonstrating a unified front against a rapidly growing form of online abuse. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and abuse more widespread, lawmakers and advocates are urging swift passage to protect victims and restore control over their digital identities.