U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attends a news conference to announce that FEMA will help pay for the funeral and burial of COVID-hit families during the coronavirus disease pandemic in the Queens borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid // Paris Hilton attends a premiere for the documentary "Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
(Washington, DC) – A bipartisan bill aimed at stopping non-consensual sexual deepfakes is gaining momentum in Washington, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez throwing her support behind the effort as it moves closer to becoming law. The DEFIANCE Act, which has already passed the Senate unanimously, now awaits action in the House.
Ocasio-Cortez spotlighted the coalition behind the bill in a post on X, praising Paris Hilton for her advocacy. AOC said Hilton not only backs survivors publicly but also runs a “fierce behind-the-scenes operation,” thanking her for joining what she called a bipartisan fight for victims.
The DEFIANCE Act would allow victims of AI-generated or digitally altered sexual images to sue creators and distributors in federal court, seek up to $250,000 in damages, and force content removal – even if the images are labeled fake.
With growing concern over AI abuse and support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, backers say the bill now has its strongest chance yet to clear the House and reach the president’s desk.
