Buchanan Introduces Two Bills to Protect Children Online

Rep. Vern Buchanan

Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has introduced two bipartisan bills to protect children in the digital space online. The two bills – the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Network (TAKE IT DOWN) Act and the Stop Crimes Against Children Act are designed to limit AI “deepfakes” and “revenge porn” by quickly removing explicit, edited images from the internet.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act was introduced alongside Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA). The bill criminalizes the production of “non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII)” and requires websites to remove these images when alerted it’s on their platform.

Rep. Salazar said this of the bill:

“The alarming rise of deepfakes is threatening to destroy innocent individuals’ and families’ lives,” said Salazar. “Non-consensual deepfake imagery is a cancer that can no longer go untreated. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is the best way to hold online platforms accountable and protect victims of these horrendous crimes.”

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Senate version of the bill.

The Stop Crimes Against Children Act, introduced by Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Rep. Buchanan requires the Department of Justice’s National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction to collaborate with the nonprofit sector and institutions of higher education to “ensure that communities can leverage the full spectrum of expertise and resources alongside government and law enforcement agencies to keep children safe.”

Rep. Buchanan stated that this bill addresses an issue that “everyone can agree on” which is protecting children.

“If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s the need to protect our vulnerable children and grandchildren,” said Rep. Buchanan. “While the rise in artificial intelligence (AI) brings countless potential benefits, I am deeply disturbed by the drastic increase in threats against children, such as the rise of so-called “revenge porn” and skyrocketing instances of sexual abuse and exploitation. I am pleased to help introduce these commonsense solutions to help protect our children and am hopeful Congress will pass both with broad bipartisan support.”

Vern Buchanan represents Florida’s 16^th Congressional District.

Jackson Bakich

Born in Orlando but raised in Lake County, Florida, Jackson Bakich is currently a senior at Florida State University. Growing up in the sunshine state, Bakich co-hosted the political talk radio show "Lake County Roundtable" (WLBE) and was a frequent guest for "Lake County Sports Show" (WQBQ). Currently, he is the Sports Editor of the FSView and the co-host of "Tomahawk Talk" (WVFS), a sports talk radio program covering Florida State athletics in Tallahassee.