SHIELD Act — Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (Passed Senate Jul 2024, Reintroduced Feb 2025)
The SHIELD Act would criminalize the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, at the federal level. Passed the Senate in July 2024 but not the House. Reintroduced in February 2025. Would provide federal criminal penalties and civil remedies complementing the patchwork of state NCII laws.
Related Incidents
Same harm domain, actors and location may differ
14-year-old girl groomed via social media by Sydney private school teacher leading to child abuse material charges
12-year-old girl sexually groomed via TikTok leading to out-of-state assault in Binghamton, New York
9-year-old girl dies after attempting blackout challenge on YouTube
13-year-old Louisiana girl exposed to AI-generated nude deepfake images leading to expulsion and federal lawsuit against school district
12-year-old girl groomed and coerced into self-harm and producing child sexual abuse materials via social media in New Jersey
Related Legislation
Other policies covering the same harm domain