SLC Times

WASHINGTON - Senator Mike Lee has announced the introduction of the Preventing Rampant Online Technological Exploitation and Criminal Trafficking (PROTECT) Act, a legislation aimed at addressing the pressing issue of online sexual exploitation. The bill imposes stringent requirements on internet service providers and aims to create a safer online environment.

The PROTECT Act compels websites to verify the age of all participants in pornographic images and those uploading such content. It also requires sites to obtain verified consent forms from individuals uploading content and those appearing in uploaded content. Furthermore, the bill mandates the swift removal of child sexual abuse material and revenge pornography upon receiving notice that they were uploaded without consent.

Sen. Lee emphasized the need for technology companies to take more responsibility in preventing exploitation on their platforms. He stated, "Tech companies need to do more to prevent the exploitation that is occurring on their platforms and allow individuals to remove images shared without their consent. The PROTECT Act is a step in that direction."

The bill comes in response to a disturbing trend where survivors of sexual abuse are repeatedly victimized through the widespread distribution of non-consensual images of themselves on social media platforms. A recent study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children revealed that a single image of child sexual abuse material resurfaced more than 490,000 times after being reported.

During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Lee questioned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the measures being taken to ensure the safety of children on Meta's platforms. Sen. Lee asked, "Why not restrict explicit content for 16-17 year olds as well?" to which Zuckerberg responded, "It's my understanding that we don't allow sexually explicit content for people of any age." Sen. Lee then pressed further, asking how effective this policy has been.

Survivors of image-based sexual abuse have long struggled to have their non-consensual images removed from online platforms. Many efforts have yielded little success, and in some cases, victims have been stalked even two decades after the images were created. The PROTECT Act aims to address this critical issue by holding tech CEOs accountable and proposing legislation that puts the responsibility on websites to protect their users.

Katelynn Spencer, a survivor of image-based sexual abuse, expressed her support for the bill, saying, "When I found out there have been two sexual videos of me posted on Pornhub and other pornography websites for the past 12 years, not once did I feel protected by the law. There are no laws in my state to protect survivors of image-based sexual abuse, but if this bill was and is put in place, it could help so many survivors like me."

Uldouz Wallace, another survivor, emphasized the need for updated laws to protect future generations, stating, "Technology is updating every day, but the laws haven't changed. We need the PROTECT Act because it will protect the future of our children, women, and men and ensure that the internet is a safer environment."

Victoria Galy, a survivor and advocate, spoke about the urgent need for federal laws to protect victims against online image-based sexual abuse. She said, "Online criminal enterprises have been allowed to flourish unregulated for over a decade. Technology has surpassed the reach of our current laws. The internet and technology have become weapons in digital violence. We desperately need a federal law to protect victims against online image-based sexual abuse, including edited and deepfake content. The PROTECT Act would provide this protection."

Leading organizations, including the American Principles Project and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, have voiced their support for the PROTECT Act. They believe that federal engagement is necessary to combat the online porn industry, which has turned a blind eye to the proliferation of child sexual abuse material.

The PROTECT Act marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical issue of online sexual exploitation and image-based sexual abuse. By holding tech CEOs accountable and proposing legislation that puts the onus on websites to protect their users, Sen. Lee is pushing for much-needed change in the digital landscape. The bill offers hope for survivors and their families, aiming to create a safer online environment.