Missouri Senate Bill SB1424

Missouri 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/24
• Refer: 2/26/24

Caption

Establishes provisions relating to the civil and criminal liability of disclosure of intimate digital depictions

Impact

The enactment of SB 1424 will amend existing statutes concerning the privacy and rights of individuals in relation to intimate digital depictions. It establishes a framework for individuals to sue for damages if their intimate images are disclosed without consent. Individuals may recover monetary damages proportional to the financial gain made by the defendant, as well as emotional distress damages, promoting accountability for the unauthorized distribution of such content. This represents a significant enhancement of personal privacy rights under Missouri law, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Summary

Senate Bill 1424, known as 'The Taylor Swift Act', introduces new criminal and civil liabilities concerning the non-consensual disclosure of intimate digital depictions. The bill aims to protect individuals from having their intimate images shared or threatened to be shared without their consent, particularly in a digital context where images can be easily manipulated. This legislation defines key terms such as 'intimate digital depiction', 'depicted individual', and the conditions under which consent can be deemed valid, emphasizing the necessity of clear, documented consent.

Contention

Notably, the bill has been met with contention privacy advocates argue it is an essential safeguard against the exploitation of individuals, particularly women and minors. However, opponents may express concerns regarding the balance between protecting individual rights and freedom of expression, as well as potential misuse of the law against legitimate disclosures in societal discourse. The bill also includes provisions protecting certain communications from liability, raising questions about its implications for digital content creators and social media platforms.