In our increasingly digital world, technology has revolutionized how we shop, eat, and communicate. Unfortunately, it has created new ways for people to fall victim to others' harassment, exploitation, and abuse. While revenge porn, the non-consensual sharing of explicit images or videos, has long been a serious concern, the advent of AI-generated content has significantly amplified its impact.
The recent Senate legislation reflects a proactive effort to enhance the protection of victims in this evolving digital landscape. Revenge porn can have devastating consequences for victims, including emotional trauma, social blacklisting, and even physical harm.
Aubrey Givens & Associates will work tirelessly to have the intimate content removed and help guide you through the legal landscape to receive the justice that you deserve.
What is Revenge Porn?
Revenge porn, or non-consensual pornography, is the sharing of sexually explicit images, videos, or AI “deepfake” imagery of individuals without their consent. The victims of revenge porn are overwhelmingly women, teenagers, or part of the LGBTQ+ community, and these private intimate images are shared with the intention to humiliate, shame, or blackmail the victims.
The term "revenge porn" refers to the distribution of sexually explicit images or videos without the subject's consent. While often driven by a desire for revenge, this crime can also involve the unauthorized attainment, manipulation, or even the creation of sexually explicit content through deepfakes or AI-generated images.
Criminal Laws Against Revenge Porn in Tennessee
In Tennessee, sharing someone’s private and intimate images without their consent is illegal and considered revenge porn. Under the Tennessee Code, the non-consensual sharing of these explicit images is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail along with fines up to $2,500. Any aggravating factors such as harassment, content with minors, or extortion can increase these penalties and charges.
The Take It Down Act
The Take It Down Act is the most recent step in protecting those who have fallen victim to revenge porn and, more specifically, AI-generated “deepfakes.” The Take It Down Act is a bipartisan revenge porn bill unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate that specifically holds social media companies accountable for removing graphic images from their platforms swiftly.
The Take It Down Act establishes a uniform national framework to safeguard victims of revenge porn by focusing on these key elements:
- Criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated
- Requires social media platforms and websites to have procedures in place to remove the content
- Companies have 48 hours to remove the content after a victim has notified them
Criminal Penalties include:
- Up to 3 years in prison for images with minors
- Up to 2 years in prison for images with adults
The Take It Down Act is a strong bipartisan bill that holds perpetrators accountable, allows victims to take action swiftly, and provides them the justice they deserve. This bill could not have come at a better time.
If you are the victim of revenge porn or AI-generated explicit imagery, you can seek out professional legal guidance from our experienced revenge porn lawyers at Aubrey Givens & Associates.
Your Legal Recourse Against Revenge Porn
Every revenge porn case is different, and each case needs its own legal strategy to ensure the images are taken down and the perpetrators are held accountable for the damage they’ve inflicted. If someone has published your images online without your consent, there are a few steps that you and your legal team can consider as your work to gather evidence, ensure the images are removed, and then work to hold them legally accountable.
Working with a compassionate team of attorneys will help you to:
- Ensure the content is removed as soon as possible
- Obtain a restraining order
- File a criminal complaint
- File a civil lawsuit
When you are working to hold those accountable for distributing your private images, it is essential to work with an experienced attorney to receive the maximum compensation you deserve. Experiencing the damage, emotional trauma, and social suffering of revenge porn can leave victims with professional and financial hardships. Victims of these crimes need the opportunity to rebuild their online reputation and privacy and restore their financial security. Aubrey Givens & Associates are dedicated to providing victims with a voice.
