Moran, McClellan, Blackburn, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Combat Cyberflashing and AI-Generated Abuse

Representatives Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Curbing Online Non-Consensual Sexually Explicit Nudity Transfers (CONSENT) Act to prohibit the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images across social media platforms and dating apps. This legislation gives Americans a legal path to fight back against unsolicited explicit content. “No one should be subject to online sexual harassment and exploitation,” said Congressman Moran. “The explosion of AI-generated abuse material has made the need to address cyberflashing more urgent than ever. The CONSENT Act will give victims in every state the ability to fight back. Artificial intelligence has raised the stakes, and it is time for Congress to rise to the moment to provide added protection from exploitation.” “As the technological landscape rapidly changes, lawmakers must prioritize the digital safety and security of the American people, especially women and children targeted by cyberflashing and other sexually exploitative practices,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “As a state legislator, I led the effort to criminalize cyberflashing in Virginia. Now, Congress must safeguard against cyberflashing abuses. The CONSENT Act will help provide a safer online environment while empowering survivors with a pathway to accountability.” “AI has opened the door for bad actors to produce explicit images quickly and cheaply to abuse or harass more victims, especially targeting young women,” said Senator Blackburn. “The bipartisan CONSENT Act would provide victims with a civil right of action and relief when they receive unwanted sexual images or videos on dating apps, text messages, and other forms of online communication.” “No one should fall victim to unwanted flashing, whether in real-life or online,” said Senator Schatz. “By providing a federal private right of action and imposing penalties, this bill will help prevent sexual harassment and hold perpetrators accountable.” What the bill does: Ensures a private right of action against individuals who knowingly send unsolicited, nonconsensual, sexually explicit visual images, whether they are unaltered or manipulated using machine learning or artificial intelligence. Provides that an individual may obtain either statutory damages (not more than $500) OR compensatory damages for emotional distress, reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees, and a temporary restraining order to cease receiving sexually explicit images from the sender. Safeguards the privacy of minors and allows a legal guardian to bring a civil action on their behalf and may elect to use the plaintiff’s initials in all further court proceedings. Stakeholder Support: Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble: “For years, Bumble has championed efforts to criminalize cyberflashing and protect people from unsolicited explicit content online. While we are proud of the progress that has been made at the state level, millions of Americans, especially women, remain unprotected without a federal standard. That’s why we support the bipartisan CONSENT Act, which empowers individuals to take legal action against those who knowingly send nonconsensual explicit content. Congress has an opportunity to make it clear that these acts are unacceptable and that everyone deserves a safer, more respectful online experience. Thank you to the bill sponsors who are helping move this critical legislation forward.” The CONSENT Act is endorsed by the online dating app Bumble, the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline), and the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund (NWLC). Read the CONSENT Act bill text here . ###