The VANISH Act would create a federal crime for the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images, making it illegal to share explicit sexual content of another person without their permission. The offense would carry penalties of up to 5 years in prison and fines, and would also criminalize threatening to share such images or conspiring to do so. The law defines consent narrowly, specifying that agreeing to create an intimate image does not mean someone agreed to have it shared, and that being a public figure or previously sharing the image with someone else does not constitute consent to wider distribution. The bill includes several exceptions, such as for legitimate law enforcement activities, medical treatment, legal proceedings, and good-faith reporting of crimes, while also protecting internet service providers from liability unless they intentionally solicit or knowingly distribute such content. The legislation would apply to offenses involving U.S. citizens, even if the violation occurs overseas.
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