How the DEFIANCE Act Protects the Vulnerable in the Age of AI
Guest Commentary
Audio By Carbonatix
By Amber Ginter, Crosswalk.com
Growing up, my parents warned me to never post photos on the internet. Before the days of social media, this was pretty easy and avoidable. As I grew older, however, and received an Instagram account, I learned that I could post photos, but they should always be appropriate. As we all know, once something hits cyberspace, it’s no longer “ours.” It can be found virtually anywhere, even if we delete it.
Today, we live in a different world. With AI, social media, and technological advancements and obsessions, graphic images can easily be found anywhere. Even when we’re not looking for it, it often pops up. But imagine discovering explicit images of yourself online that you never took, consented to, or even knew existed. Scary, right?
According to Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (S.V.P.A.), these trends have been growing for the past two years. Before this time, non-consensual AI deepfakes were more challenging to create and mass-promote. You needed a high-tech computer, skills in coding, and hundreds of photos of the victim’s face. While we may have seen bits and pieces of this abuse through public figures, this AI-generated deepfake pornography has spread to even ordinary, everyday individuals. Over 98% of deepfakes online are explicit. This isn’t just technology drama, but digital sexual violence, Martone believes, needs to be taken seriously.
If every person bears God’s image, how should we respond when technology is used to distort, exploit, or weaponize that image — and what responsibility do we carry to advocate for laws that protect the vulnerable?
The Dangers of AI
First, we need to understand that while we shouldn’t throw around assumptions or mislabel the benefits of technology, AI tools are being used to create realistic images and videos (explicit ones) of real people without their consent. The victims have included women, men, teens, public figures, and now private citizens. But the worst part about these images is that they’re spreading rapidly and often anonymously, with no way to get them back or permanently take them down.
As a result, the harm victims are having is wide and deep—emotional, relational, professional, and spiritual. Unlike traditional crimes, this violation feels invisible, but permanent. “Now, anyone can make these images in seconds, and they only need one or two images of the victim’s face,” said Martone. Getting images off of company websites, LinkedIn, and social sites, it’s evident that S.V.P.A.’s response isn’t prudishness or panic. This is about justice, rights, consent, dignity, respect, and protection.
The Legal Gap
Currently, no clear federal civil recourse for victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography exists. This is where S.V.P.A has sprung into action. Why? Because 1. victims struggle to remove content or seek justice themselves, and 2. the absence of consequences fuels the growth of the problem. With technologies on the rise, our laws are often too slow to follow. Vulnerable people are paying the price, but shouldn’t.
In a plea for justice, S.V.P.A. begs individuals to tell Congress to pass the DEFIANCE Act. This act was drafted through work with victims and Congress to provide a civil right of action for victims, enabling them to seek justice. By definition, this Bipartisan legislation aims to deter the creation and distribution of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. And as of January 13th, 2026, it was passed unanimously in the Senate. The goal of this Act isn’t to restrict freedom of speech, creativity, or technology, but just the opposite: to protect those who use these means from digitally manufactured sexual exploitation.
Why Does This Matter to Me?
No matter who you are or what political position you hold, this issue matters because all people matter. Every individual is created in the image of God and bears His image (Genesis 1:27), but when people are exploited without consent, we need to realize that we’re abusing His gift of technological advancement. Our responsibility is to advocate for the weak and fight for laws that protect the vulnerable. This includes those harmed by AI pornography.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that whatever you do for the “least of these,” you do for Him. He lists the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, and strangers, to name a few. But the message is clear: Humans are made in the image of God, and it’s our responsibility to help care for those in need. Our bodies are not commodities to be sold, mocked, or exploited. Consent reflects God’s design for dignity and agency, while sexual exploitation (physically or digitally) distorts God’s intent for honor and protection.
Deepfake pornography might be a growing trend and tool, but it’s committing an age-old sin: stripping people of dignity for personal pleasure or gain. Christians, all Christians, young and old, Republican, or Democrat, or no political affiliation at all, are called to protect the vulnerable, advocate for justice, and speak when silence protects those who are being harmed.
Today, consider the benefits and drawbacks of technology and AI in your life. While both can create beauty and progress, we must remember to safeguard them with moral guardrails and avoid exploitation at all costs. Laws like the Defiance Act won’t magically solve all of our problems. Pornography has been a generational issue for centuries. But it can lead to accountability that shapes behavior. This Act isn’t a complete solution, but it may present a necessary way to set a boundary.
Make a difference today by contacting your local representatives and lawmakers, praying for the victims (and those involved), and remembering not to disengage from policy discussions that affect human dignity. I’m not a huge fan of politics. I like to stay quiet and uninvolved. But when human lives are at risk, something has to change.
“There’s an immense emotional impact of these acts. It’s a violation of the victim's autonomy, but it can also lead to sexual violence, a damaged reputation, and even trauma. Our goal is to address and prevent this pornography from being created and protect victims who are affected. We’ve had victims try to pursue legal help, but were told what was done to them was “legal,” and this is what led us to start taking action for justice and protecting their rights” (Martone, BBC News).
So far, this legislation has been endorsed by: the National Women’s Law Center, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), Raven, Public Citizen, Sexual Violence Prevention Association, Democratic Women’s Caucus, UltraViolet, Joyful Heart Foundation, My Image My Choice, Reclaim Coalition, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, American Association of University Women (AAUW), End Rape on Campus, Foundation Ra, Explain the Asterisk, Protect America’s Daughters, Sexual Assault Response Coalition (SARC), Students Against Sexual Assault, What Were You Wearing, Rooting Movements, Recognize Violence, Change Culture (RVCC), and Street Grace.
Following the Senate’s approval, the bill is moving to the House for consideration in early 2026. If it passes, DEFIANCE will give survivors of image-based sexual abuse a federal way to hold criminals accountable—even those using AI behind the scenes. According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the bill can also be used to change our world for the better:
“It’s about global, societal convergence on certain norms, and we can do it, especially when you have law and law enforcement and tech platforms that can come together.”
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/its me neosiam
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
