Contact Congress about S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025
People could sue in federal court over realistic fake sexual images made or shared without consent. Courts could award money and order the images deleted or hidden from public court records.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
DEFIANCE Act of 2025 is a House bill awaiting final action. The latest recorded action: Held at the desk.
Latest action on S. 1837: Held at the desk.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people shown in fake sexual images made or shared without consent. It also affects people who create, request, receive, keep, or share those images. Online platforms, creators, and businesses could feel indirect effects as courts decide how the law applies in real cases.
Why this matters: Realistic fake sexual images can harm a person’s privacy, safety, reputation, work, and relationships even when the image is not real. This bill would give victims a clearer federal path to sue and seek removal. It could also push people away from making or sharing these images because the money penalties are high. The final effect would depend on how courts apply the bill’s key terms.
Key provisions in S. 1837
- The bill adds intimate deepfakes to an existing federal civil law. It covers fake sexual images made with software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or similar tools.
- A fake label does not automatically protect the image creator or sharer. The image can still count if a reasonable person looking at the whole thing could not tell it is fake.
- People could sue over several kinds of nonconsensual conduct. The bill covers making, keeping with plans to share, sharing, or asking for and receiving intimate deepfakes when the conduct uses or affects interstate or foreign commerce, such as the internet.
- The bill creates a separate lawsuit for making an intimate deepfake without consent. It applies when the creator knew, or recklessly ignored, that the person did not consent and was harmed or likely to be harmed.
- Courts could award fixed damages of $150,000. The amount rises to $250,000 when the conduct is tied to actual or attempted sexual assault, stalking, or harassment. Courts could also award actual damages, including the defendant’s profits.
How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1837
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about S. 1837
- What is S. 1837?
- People could sue in federal court over realistic fake sexual images made or shared without consent. Courts could award money and order the images deleted or hidden from public court records.
- How do I support or oppose S. 1837?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about S. 1837?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain S. 1837 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
