119th Congress · introduced in the Senate · May 21, 2025
DEFIANCE Act of 2025
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Jan 13, 2026): Held at the desk.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Passed Senate (Jan 13, 2026)
Disrupt Explicit Forged Images And Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2025 or the DEFIANCE Act of 2025
This bill expands civil remedies for the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images (i.e., nonconsensual pornography). The bill also establishes a new federal civil action for nonconsensual conduct involving intimate digital forgeries (i.e., deepfakes). The term intimate digital forgery means any intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual created using software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or other computer-generated or technological means that looks authentic.
With respect to the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images, current law allows an identifiable individual to recover civil remedies, including litigation costs, damages, and injunctive relief. This bill increases the available damages by allowing the individual to recover punitive damages and by including, as part of actual damages, profits of the defendant that are attributable to the conduct at issue.
The bill also allows an identifiable individual who is the subject of an intimate digital forgery to file a federal civil action against anyone who knowingly discloses, produces or possesses with intent to disclose, or solicits and receives the intimate digital forgery without the individual's consent. Under the bill, the identifiable individual may recover the same expanded civil remedies that are available for the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images.
Finally, the bill establishes a 10-year statute of limitations for filing civil actions involving nonconsensual intimate digital forgeries or nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images. The statute begins to run when the individual discovers the violation or turns 18, whichever is later.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S143-147; text: CR S145-146)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3059-3060)
Introduced in Senate
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Advanced technology and technological innovations · Assault and harassment offenses · Civil actions and liability · Computer security and identity theft · Computers and information technology · Digital media · Fraud offenses and financial crimes · Photography and imaging · Pornography · Right of privacy · Sex offenses
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
23 citations.
NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER ACTION FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER ACTION FUND
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$50,000
Spent on own lobbying
…discrimination (no bill number in 119th Congress) (House & Senate) Advocacy for DEFIANCE Act to protect victims of nonconsensual sexual deepfakes (H.R. 3562 / S.1837) (House)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$2,820,000
Spent on own lobbying
…elated to privacy, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA); all provisions S. 1829: STOP CSAM Act of 2025; all provisions S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025; provisions related to Internet Service Providers S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025; all provisions S.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BUMBLE TRADING LLC · lobbying firm or registrant: AVOQ, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Issues related to online sexual harassment and legislation to outlaw the sending of unsolicited lewd photos, including S. 1837/H.R. 3562, DEFIANCE Act of 2025, S. 841/H.R. 2481, Romance Scam Prevention Act, and S. 4695/H.R. 9155, Curbing Online Non-Consensual Sexually Explicit Nudity T…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
UNITED STATES TELECOM ASSN · lobbying firm or registrant: UNITED STATES TELECOM ASSN
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$610,000
Spent on own lobbying
…0364 - American Copyright Protection Act of 2026 S.5529 - DEFEND IP Act S.866 - Accelerating Broadband Permits Act H.R.9541 - FIREWALL Act H.R.1027 - QUIET Act S.1837 - DEFIANCE Act of 2025 S.1367 - NO FAKES Act of 2025 S.4561 - CLOSE THE GAP Act H.R.2289 - American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 S.3404 - Satellite Cyberse…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COMPUTER & COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: KELSAY STRATEGIES LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 12, 2026 · issue area: Computer Industry
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…- GUARD Act S.737 - SCREEN Act S.4199 - Youth AI Privacy Act S.4407 - CHATBOT Act H.R.6488 - Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens (RESET) Act S.1837 - DEFIANCE Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: MERCURY STRATEGIES, LLC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Aug 4, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…ificial intelligence (AI); S. 1748 -- Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet re-introduced--all provisions); S. 1829 -- STOP CSAM Act of 2025 (all provisions); S. 1837 -- DEFIANCE Act of 2025 (provisions related to Internet Service Providers); S. 1875 -- Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025 (all provisio…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COMPUTER & COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: KELSAY STRATEGIES LLC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 21, 2026 · issue area: Computer Industry
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…the Scroll Act S.3546, Sunset Section 230 Act H.R.7757, Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act S.4784, National Defense Authorization Act for 2027 (NDAA) S.1837, DEFIANCE Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SOFTWARE & INFORMATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: SIIA
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 21, 2026 · issue area: Computer Industry
$1,396,909
Spent on own lobbying
…Action Plan and EOs 14110, 14179, 14277, and 14365 Congressional proposals on artificial intelligence, including H.R. 2385, S. 146 and S.2750 S.2528/H.R. 4801, S.1837/H.R. 3562 Executive Branch initiatives on technology procurement Congressional proposals on export controls related to semiconductors and advanced computing it…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$3,050,000
Spent on own lobbying
…elated to privacy, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA); all provisions S. 1829: STOP CSAM Act of 2025; all provisions S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025; provisions related to Internet Service Providers S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025; all provisions S.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BUMBLE TRADING LLC · lobbying firm or registrant: AVOQ, LLC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Issues related to online sexual harassment and legislation to outlaw the sending of unsolicited lewd photos, including S. 1837/H.R. 3562, DEFIANCE Act of 2025, S. 841/H.R. 2481, Romance Scam Prevention Act, and S. 4695/H.R. 9155, Curbing Online Non-Consensual Sexually Explicit Nudity T…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
UNITED STATES TELECOM ASSN · lobbying firm or registrant: UNITED STATES TELECOM ASSN
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 17, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$620,000
Spent on own lobbying
S.866 - Accelerating Broadband Permits Act H.R.9541 - FIREWALL Act H.R.1027 - QUIET Act S.1837 - DEFIANCE Act of 2025 S.1367 - NO FAKES Act of 2025 S.4561 - CLOSE THE GAP Act H.R.2289 - American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 S.3404 - Satellite Cyberse…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: MERCURY STRATEGIES, LLC
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 21, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…PA 2.0), (all provisions); S. 1748 -- Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet re-introduced--all provisions); S. 1829 -- STOP CSAM Act of 2025 (all provisions); S. 1837 -- DEFIANCE Act of 2025 ((provisions related to Internet Service Providers); S. 1875 -- Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025 (all provisi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SOFTWARE & INFORMATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: SIIA
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 21, 2026 · issue area: Computer Industry
$1,369,519
Spent on own lobbying
…Action Plan and EOs 14110, 14179, 14277, and 14365 Congressional proposals on artificial intelligence, including H.R. 2385, S. 146 and S.2750 S.2528/H.R. 4801, S.1837/H.R. 3562 Executive Branch initiatives on technology procurement Congressional proposals on export controls related to semiconductors and advanced computing it…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 21, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$3,400,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ion Act (COPPA 2.0); all provisions S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet introduced); all provisions S. 1829 : STOP CSAM Act of 2025; all provisions S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025; provisions related to Internet Service Providers S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025; all provisions S.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BUMBLE TRADING LLC · lobbying firm or registrant: AVOQ, LLC
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Issues related to online sexual harassment and legislation to outlaw the sending of unsolicited lewd photos, including S. 1837/H.R. 3562, DEFIANCE Act of 2025 and S. 841/H.R. 2481, Romance Scam Prevention Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: MERCURY STRATEGIES, LLC
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 21, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…PA 2.0), (all provisions); S. 1748 -- Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet re-introduced--all provisions); S. 1829 -- STOP CSAM Act of 2025 (all provisions); S. 1837 -- DEFIANCE Act of 2025 ((provisions related to Internet Service Providers); S. 1875 -- Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025 (all provisi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 21, 2026 · issue area: Telecommunications
$3,350,000
Spent on own lobbying
…lated to Internet Service Providers S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet introduced); all provisions S. 1829 : STOP CSAM Act of 2025; all provisions S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025; provisions related to Internet Service Providers S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025; all provisions S.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SOFTWARE & INFORMATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: SIIA
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Computer Industry
$1,342,666
Spent on own lobbying
…rsuant to EO 14110, EO 14179, EO 14277, and EO 14363 Congressional proposals on artificial intelligence, including H.R. 2385, S.2615, S.2750, S.2528/H.R. 4801, S.1837/H.R. 3562 Executive Branch initiatives on technology procurement Congressional proposals on export controls related to semiconductors including H.R. 5885 Congr…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: MERCURY STRATEGIES, LLC
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 28, 2025 · issue area: Telecommunications
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…PA 2.0), (all provisions); S. 1748 -- Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet re-introduced--all provisions); S. 1829 -- STOP CSAM Act of 2025 (all provisions); S. 1837 -- DEFIANCE Act of 2025 ((provisions related to Internet Service Providers); S. 1875 -- Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025 (all provisi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 21, 2025 · issue area: Telecommunications
$2,950,000
Spent on own lobbying
…lated to Internet Service Providers S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet introduced); all provisions S. 1829 : STOP CSAM Act of 2025; all provisions S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025; provisions related to Internet Service Providers S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025; all provisions S.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: MERCURY STRATEGIES, LLC
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 25, 2025 · issue area: Telecommunications
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…COPPA 2.0), (all provisions); S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet re-introduced--all provisions); S. 1829 : STOP CSAM Act of 2025 (all provisions); S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025 ((provisions related to Internet Service Providers); S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025 (all provisions)…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES · lobbying firm or registrant: VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 21, 2025 · issue area: Telecommunications
$2,990,000
Spent on own lobbying
…lated to Internet Service Providers S. 1748: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (not yet introduced); all provisions S. 1829 : STOP CSAM Act of 2025; all provisions S. 1837: DEFIANCE Act of 2025; provisions related to Internet Service Providers S. 1875: Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act of 2025; all provisions H.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION · lobbying firm or registrant: ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 21, 2025 · issue area: Constitution
$30,000
Spent on own lobbying
…. 1829, Strengthening Transparency and Obligation to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act (STOP CSAM Act), Matters relating to encryption S. 1837, Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act, speech-related provisions; Section 3, Civil action relating to disclosure of intimate…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing