Federal 'Revenge Porn' Law Edges Toward Congress

SACRAMENTO — Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said she is preparing to introduce federal legislation to criminalize revenge porn, and hopes to bring the bill to Congress sometime next month.

While Speier speculates that many lawmakers will support the gesture, the legislation is still a work in progress. Several major details yet unclear include the maximum punishment for offenders and specific rules governing the removal of the content in question.

California, New Jersey and (just recently) Idaho have already outlawed the practice of posting explicit, nonconsensual photos, often of an ex or former lover, and many other states are working towards analogous legislation of their own.

However, many revenge porn operators remain safe due to a technicality afforded by Section 230 of the Federal Communications Decency Act, which grants Internet companies illegal immunity if hosted content provided by a third-party doesn’t violate criminal or copyright law. A federal ban of the practice would put the onus of content removal on webmasters and even search engines.

University of Miami law professor Mary Anne Franks, an advocate for victims of revenge porn and a board member of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, is helping to draft the legislation.

An ongoing criticism of criminalizing revenge porn (both statewise and nationwide) has been that federal laws regulating the Internet may encroach on free speech and lead to unnecessary censorship.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Hentaied Founder Romero 'Mr. Alien' on Fetish, Fantasy and Finding Order in Chaos

A sharp sting pierces the woman’s skin. Something foreign slips beneath the surface. Eggs, maybe. She doesn’t know it yet, but soon her body will become a vessel, a hive, a source of contamination.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for July, August

AEBN has published the top search terms for the months of July and August from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Bree Mills Unpacks Power, Pain and Family Ties in New Pure Taboo Film

Bell is shooting a scene for “The Secrets We Share,” a new feature from Pure Taboo and Adult Time — and moments like this remind the crew that they are not out to make just another adult movie.

Cubbi Thompson Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Cubbi Thompson stars with Keiran Lee in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Slippery Business."

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Adult Time Drops Bree Mills' 'Hard Stop Reunion' Documentary, New Scene

Adult Time has released a documentary feature on the recent Bree Mills-helmed drama “Hard Stop” as well as a new cast orgy scene, titled “Hard Stop Reunion Orgy.”

Gal Ritchie Performs Her 1st Anal for Brazzers

Gal Ritchie performs her first anal scene alongside Ricky Johnson in the latest Brazzers release, titled “Say Hello to My Little Arsehole.”

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Show More