[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 147 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PROTECTING AMERICANS' PRIVACY ONLINE

  (Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, September is Suicide 
Prevention Month, so let's focus on saving lives for those who are 
struggling with our mental health crisis, a crisis worsened by 
malicious online activity where children, teens, and women often bear 
the brunt.
  As the internet evolves, we have seen the scourge of bad actors 
sharing others' intimate private photos online. This is a violation of 
privacy and dignity, and it has metastasized in recent years, causing 
anguish for victims, many of whom consider suicide. Too many, including 
children, have lost their lives.
  That is why I introduced the bipartisan SHIELD Act, with 
Representatives Moran, Plaskett, Fitzpatrick, and Mace, to close the 
loophole in current law so that those who share exploitive nude photos 
of children will be held to account; to ban sextortion, the act of 
threatening to reveal private or explicit images for money or access; 
and to protect adults and their private photos from being exposed.
  The internet is ever-changing, and Federal law must catch up. The 
SHIELD Act will protect Americans' privacy online and save lives.

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