Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised the late Sen. Lindsey Graham for his support of legislation aimed at protecting victims of nonconsensual AI-generated deepfake pornography. The DEFIANCE Act, which Ocasio-Cortez and Graham collaborated on, passed the Senate in January with unanimous consent. The bill has received support from various individuals, including Paris Hilton, who has spoken out in favor of the legislation.
The DEFIANCE Act is a notable example of bipartisan cooperation, with Graham and Ocasio-Cortez putting aside their differences to work towards a common goal. Despite their disagreements on foreign policy, the two lawmakers were able to come together to address the issue of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. Ocasio-Cortez credited Graham with being "instrumental" in securing bipartisan support for the legislation.
The bill would allow victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography to file civil lawsuits in federal district court. If a victim wins their case, they could be awarded punitive damages or other forms of relief, including a temporary restraining order or an injunction requiring the defendant to delete or destroy the material. The legislation also provides for liquidated damages, with victims able to recover up to $150,000 or $250,000 in certain circumstances.
While the Senate has passed the DEFIANCE Act, the House version of the bill has yet to advance past the House Judiciary Committee. Ocasio-Cortez has called on the committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, to take action on the legislation. The bill was referred to the committee in May 2025, but has not yet moved forward.
The passage of the DEFIANCE Act could provide important protections for victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. The legislation has the potential to hold perpetrators accountable and provide relief to those who have been harmed. As the bill moves forward, it will be important to watch how lawmakers address this critical issue and work to protect the rights of victims.
