The Senate on Tuesday quietly advanced legislation that would crack down on deepfake porn and allow people to sue over AI-generated explicit images. (Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images)
His bill, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and introduced in the House by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, would allow victims of deepfake images to sue people who create, possess with intent to share, solicit, or share non-consensual them and levy a fine of up to $250,000 per violation.
"Give to the victims their day in court to hold those responsible who continue to publish these images at their expense," Durbin said on the Senate floor. "Today, we are one step closer to making this a reality."
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First lady Melania Trump traveled to Capitol Hill on Monday for a roundtable to rally support for the Take It Down Act. (Fox News)
"Imagine losing control over your own likeness and identity. Imagine how powerless victims feel when they cannot remove illicit content, cannot prevent it from being reproduced repeatedly, and cannot prevent new images from being created," Durbin said.
The DEFIANCE Act comes as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pushed for stiffer regulations and penalties for AI, particularly chatbots and potentially harmful interactions they have with children online. Notably, Durbin and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., teamed up last year for legislation that defines AI as a product, allowing people to sue for liabilities that stem from using AI systems.
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Durbin's successful effort in the upper chamber comes after lawmakers passed a separate bill, the Take It Down Act, last year geared to creating penalties for revenge porn. First Lady Melania Trump heavily lobbied for that bill, which was ultimately signed into law by Trump and is set to take effect in May.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/deepfake-porn-crackdown-passes-senate-allow-people-sue