H.R.2564 - Protect Victims of Digital Exploitation and Manipulation Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2564, the "Protect Victims of Digital Exploitation and Manipulation Act of 2025," aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit the production and distribution of digital forgeries of intimate visual depictions of identifiable individuals. The bill establishes criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those who recklessly produce or distribute such forgeries without consent. It also includes exceptions for good-faith distributions to law enforcement, legal proceedings, medical contexts, and the reporting of unlawful content.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would create a new federal crime targeting the creation and distribution of deepfake pornography. This could deter the production and dissemination of digitally altered intimate images. It would also provide legal recourse for victims of such exploitation.
Potential Benefits
- Provides legal recourse for victims of digital exploitation and manipulation.
- Deters the creation and distribution of non-consensual intimate digital forgeries.
- Clarifies the definition of consent in the context of digital depictions.
- Establishes clear exceptions for legitimate uses of such depictions (e.g., law enforcement, medical).
- Addresses the growing problem of deepfake technology being used for malicious purposes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for overly broad interpretation of "reckless disregard," leading to unintended consequences.
- Possible chilling effect on artistic expression or satire, although the bill appears to target non-consensual depictions.
- Enforcement challenges in identifying and prosecuting offenders, especially across international borders.
- Risk of misuse of the reporting exception to target individuals or content unfairly.
- The definition of 'identifiable individual' could be problematic in cases where the depiction is heavily altered.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) as it regulates activities involving interstate or foreign commerce. The First Amendment implications regarding freedom of speech are addressed through the requirement of 'reckless disregard' and the exceptions provided for good-faith distributions. The bill aims to protect individual privacy and dignity, which, while not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, are implied through the Ninth Amendment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).