A.G. Gancarski
“Brooke’s Law” (HB 1161) is one step closer to becoming law after a meeting of the House Commerce Committee.
The bill is designed to require internet platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies of such depictions from their platform upon request of the victim. It’s now ready for the House floor.
Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan introduced the legislation this Session. It was inspired by what Jacksonville’s Brooke Curry went through in 2023, when a deepfake nude of her was posted to social media.
But Duggan noted that the problem was much more widespread than that faced by a single Jacksonville student.
“Deepfakes and the misuse of synthetic content pose a clear, present and evolving threat to the public,” Duggan said. “Ninety-eight percent of the deepfake videos found online are explicitly pornographic and 99% of those feature women.”
The legislation would require internet platforms to develop and prominently promote a policy by the end of 2025 for removing deepfake images and videos of this type after someone is victimized in this way.
Curry noted the irony of having to testify about the “embarrassing, cruel, vulgar … false representation of who (I) was” just after one of the biggest days of her life.
“Two days ago I was doing what a lot of high schoolers look forward to doing. I attended my senior prom with all my friends. These are the kind of memories of high school we should be making,” she said. Curry then told lawmakers about the frustrating process of trying to get the image offline and her need to “bring awareness to the issue” to show other victims “you’re not alone” and something can be done.
The bill, which envisions the Florida Unfair Trade and Deceptive Practices Act as its enforcement mechanism, expands on legislation championed by former Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book that imposed criminal and civil penalties by creating law to force sites to take the objectionable image down.
The goal, as Curry said, is to “take back control and hold these bad actors accountable.”
Members of both parties extolled Curry for her bravery and willingness to lead on the issue.
“You are brave,” said Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner. “You are a badass.”
Rep. Christine Hunschofsky lauded Curry for providing “support” to others who may encounter the same situation she did. “It’s so nice when we see advocacy work and make a difference,” the Parkland Democrat said.
Republican Rep. Chase Tramont said the incident “could have destroyed your life,” but “you let it empower you.”
Republican Rep. Yvette Benarroch said Curry “turned something painful into purpose” and gave those who aren’t as strong as her a “voice.”
The Senate version of the proposal (SB 1400) will be heard in its final committee on Thursday.
