To provide that it is unlawful to knowingly distribute private intimate visual depictions with reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent to the distribution, and for other purposes.
The SHIELD Act of 2024 makes it a federal crime to knowingly distribute intimate images or nude images of minors without consent. For adults, the law prohibits sharing private sexual images or nude photos that were created with a reasonable expectation of privacy and were not voluntarily exposed in public, if the distribution is intended to cause harm or does cause psychological, financial, or reputational harm to the person depicted. For minors, it is illegal to distribute nude images with intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, or gratify sexual desire. Violations carry penalties of up to two years in prison for adult intimate images and up to three years for nude images of minors, along with potential fines and forfeiture of property used in the crimes. The law includes exceptions for law enforcement investigations, legitimate medical or educational purposes, and good-faith reporting of abuse, and does not hold internet service providers liable unless they intentionally solicit or predominantly distribute such content.
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