Bill to Combat Online Sexual Exploitation Signed into Law

A bill from Senator Cortese (D-San Jose), SB 1210, to “combat online sexual exploitation in the digital age” has been signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Since the pandemic began, the number of complaints of the non-consensual online sharing of obscene images has increased by over 120%. This has ranged from materials such as “deep fakes” and “revenge porn”. SB 1210 will prevent online sexual exploitation, non-consensual sharing of obscene images, and provide survivors of online trafficking an avenue for relief, recourse and recovery.

SB 1210 requires any attorney fees and costs be paid to the prevailing plaintiff by the defendant in a civil action arising from the intentional, unauthorized distribution of obscene material.

“By signing this bipartisan measure into law, California will help survivors of online abuse find justice. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Legislature as well as Governor Newsom for taking this important step towards ending online sexual exploitation.”

SB 1210 was supported by the Consumer Attorneys of California.