New Federal Law Criminalizes Non-Consensual Sharing of Private Intimate Images (SHIELD Act).
This Act establishes federal penalties for knowingly distributing private, intimate images of adults without their consent, especially when intended to cause harm or resulting in harm. It provides victims of "revenge porn" with federal legal recourse and the ability to seek restitution from the offender. The law also addresses the non-consensual distribution of non-explicit nude images of minors with harmful intent.
Key points
Sharing private intimate images without the depicted person's consent becomes a federal crime, punishable by up to 2 years in prison.
Consent to the creation of an image does not constitute consent for its distribution.
Victims of illegal image sharing are entitled to restitution (financial compensation) from the offender.
The law also criminalizes threats to distribute such images for purposes of intimidation or extortion.
Expired
Citizen Poll