Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
@cybercivilrights.bsky.social
CCRI’s mission is to combat online abuses that threaten civil rights and civil liberties. https://cybercivilrights.org/
"If you come into contact with someone who was the victim of sexting coercion, image-based sexual abuse, or another sexting-related form of violence, let them know they are not to blame." - @drasiaeaton.bsky.social, CCRI Head of Research
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/powe...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/powe...
In Defense of Sexting
Sexting isn’t just for youth or inherently risky—research shows it can boost intimacy and well-being, and that real harm comes from consent violations and abuse.
www.psychologytoday.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:15 PM
"If you come into contact with someone who was the victim of sexting coercion, image-based sexual abuse, or another sexting-related form of violence, let them know they are not to blame." - @drasiaeaton.bsky.social, CCRI Head of Research
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/powe...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/powe...
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
I talked with @thedextriarchy.bsky.social with @theverge.com about why the TAKE IT DOWN Act is unfortunately unlikely to deter apps like Grok from creating fake pornographic videos of real people @cybercivilrights.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/internet-cen...
www.theverge.com/internet-cen...
Sex is getting scrubbed from the internet, but a billionaire can sell you AI nudes
Grok’s nonconsensual deepfakes show how hollow the online safety push can be.
www.theverge.com
August 11, 2025 at 5:03 AM
I talked with @thedextriarchy.bsky.social with @theverge.com about why the TAKE IT DOWN Act is unfortunately unlikely to deter apps like Grok from creating fake pornographic videos of real people @cybercivilrights.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/internet-cen...
www.theverge.com/internet-cen...
CCRI is thrilled to welcome Cailin Crockett to its Advisory Committee. As a leading expert in gender policy, defense policy, tech safety, and AI governance, she brings over a decade of strategic experience advancing the safety and wellbeing of women and girls. cybercivilrights.org/cailin-crock...
Cailin Crockett - Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Cailin Crockett has advanced the safety and wellbeing of women and girls in the U.S. and globally for more than a decade. She has held executive roles at the White...
cybercivilrights.org
July 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
CCRI is thrilled to welcome Cailin Crockett to its Advisory Committee. As a leading expert in gender policy, defense policy, tech safety, and AI governance, she brings over a decade of strategic experience advancing the safety and wellbeing of women and girls. cybercivilrights.org/cailin-crock...
Partner Spotlight: The Identity Theft Resource Center provides expert guidance on identity theft prevention and recovery, breach alerts, and business protection strategies. Access trauma-informed support and invaluable information here: www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-...
Victim Help Center
The ITRC’s Victim Help Center has answers to the most common identity theft questions, helpful resources, and reliable solutions.
www.idtheftcenter.org
July 25, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Partner Spotlight: The Identity Theft Resource Center provides expert guidance on identity theft prevention and recovery, breach alerts, and business protection strategies. Access trauma-informed support and invaluable information here: www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-...
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Thrilled for the Ford Foundation — there is no one better than @heathergerken.bsky.social!
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Ford Foundation selects Yale dean and democracy scholar Heather Gerken to succeed Darren Walker
The Ford Foundation has announced Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken as its next president
www.washingtonpost.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Thrilled for the Ford Foundation — there is no one better than @heathergerken.bsky.social!
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Thank you to the Daily News‑Record and Ron Doyle, the Gray-Haired Tech, for this overview of image-based sexual abuse and how victim-survivors can get support.
www.dnronline.com/news/science...
www.dnronline.com/news/science...
Gray-Haired Tech: There is hope for those experiencing online abuse
Today’s topic is a bit unusual for the Gray Haired Tech, but it’s critical, so consider this a PSA.
www.dnronline.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Thank you to the Daily News‑Record and Ron Doyle, the Gray-Haired Tech, for this overview of image-based sexual abuse and how victim-survivors can get support.
www.dnronline.com/news/science...
www.dnronline.com/news/science...
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
After a recent court order, OpenAI is now required to retain the very data many of its users believed to be most private. This introduces serious privacy risks, especially for vulnerable users like victims and survivors of domestic violence, Belle Torek writes.
For Survivors Using Chatbots, ‘Delete’ Doesn’t Always Mean Deleted | TechPolicy.Press
Many survivors may assume that AI platforms and chatbots offer common privacy protections, but these are not guaranteed, Belle Torek writes.
www.techpolicy.press
June 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
After a recent court order, OpenAI is now required to retain the very data many of its users believed to be most private. This introduces serious privacy risks, especially for vulnerable users like victims and survivors of domestic violence, Belle Torek writes.
If you are interested in learning more about NDII, sexually explicit digital forgeries, and the TAKE IT DOWN Act, please view this thorough and thoughtful overview presented by CCRI President and Legislative and Tech Policy Director, @maryannefranks.bsky.social www.nbcwashington.com/news/nationa...
Take It Down Act: What to do if someone posts revenge porn or a deepfake of you
From documenting evidence to understanding your rights, here’s what to know if someone shares your intimate images without consent — and what changes under the newly signed Take It Down Act.
www.nbcwashington.com
June 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
If you are interested in learning more about NDII, sexually explicit digital forgeries, and the TAKE IT DOWN Act, please view this thorough and thoughtful overview presented by CCRI President and Legislative and Tech Policy Director, @maryannefranks.bsky.social www.nbcwashington.com/news/nationa...
At 3:00 PM Eastern, the TAKE IT DOWN Act will be signed into law. The live signing can be viewed here: 1/x
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
WATCH LIVE: Trump signs Take It Down Act, bill combating nonconsensual deepfakes and revenge porn
The bill makes it illegal to “knowingly publish” or threaten to publish intimate images without a person's consent, including AI-created "deepfakes."
www.pbs.org
May 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
At 3:00 PM Eastern, the TAKE IT DOWN Act will be signed into law. The live signing can be viewed here: 1/x
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Mr. Deepfakes has shut down. This is critical information from its notice: "We will not be relaunching. Any website claiming this is fake. This domain will eventually expire and we are not responsible for future use. This message will be removed around one week." mashable.com/article/mr-d...
Good riddance: The web's top deepfake porn site is shutting down
'Mr. Deepfakes' just announced the sudden shutdown on its website.
mashable.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Mr. Deepfakes has shut down. This is critical information from its notice: "We will not be relaunching. Any website claiming this is fake. This domain will eventually expire and we are not responsible for future use. This message will be removed around one week." mashable.com/article/mr-d...
"...[D]igital rights advocates warn that a combination of vague language and lack of safeguards makes it ripe for misuse."
Activists Warn Newly Passed Bill to Combat Deepfakes Will Cause Online Chaos
While the legislation is well intended, it offers a broad opportunity for abuse.
gizmodo.com
April 30, 2025 at 9:01 PM
"...[D]igital rights advocates warn that a combination of vague language and lack of safeguards makes it ripe for misuse."
"But while critics say that’s an important issue to deal with, they worry that the Take It Down Act’s approach could be exploited to inflict harm in other ways."
www.theverge.com/news/657632/...
www.theverge.com/news/657632/...
Take It Down Act heads to Trump’s desk
Trump has pledged to sign it.
www.theverge.com
April 29, 2025 at 1:24 AM
"But while critics say that’s an important issue to deal with, they worry that the Take It Down Act’s approach could be exploited to inflict harm in other ways."
www.theverge.com/news/657632/...
www.theverge.com/news/657632/...
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
The bill incorporates much of the language of the model federal statute against NDII I first drafted in 2013 and much of the language I have developed on sexually explicit forgeries. The criminal provision is essential to supporting current survivors and deterring future perpetrators.
April 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The bill incorporates much of the language of the model federal statute against NDII I first drafted in 2013 and much of the language I have developed on sexually explicit forgeries. The criminal provision is essential to supporting current survivors and deterring future perpetrators.
This evening, the House passed the Take It Down Act, a criminal bill that will now be sent to the President for signature. Read CCRI's full statement to learn more about the bill's strengths and challenges.
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-stateme...
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-stateme...
CCRI Statement on the Passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146) - Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
For Immediate Release Contact: Mary Anne Franks, JD, DPhil President, Cyber Civil Rights Initiative info@cybercivilrights.org Please also see the CCRI Media Guide CCRI Statement on the Passage of the ...
cybercivilrights.org
April 28, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This evening, the House passed the Take It Down Act, a criminal bill that will now be sent to the President for signature. Read CCRI's full statement to learn more about the bill's strengths and challenges.
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-stateme...
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-stateme...
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Excited and honored to be joining the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s Advisory Committee! I look forward to supporting CCRI’s continued leadership in protecting safety, privacy, and cyber civil rights in the fight against image-based sexual abuse.
For more on CCRI, visit www.cybercivilrights.org.
For more on CCRI, visit www.cybercivilrights.org.
April 9, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Excited and honored to be joining the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s Advisory Committee! I look forward to supporting CCRI’s continued leadership in protecting safety, privacy, and cyber civil rights in the fight against image-based sexual abuse.
For more on CCRI, visit www.cybercivilrights.org.
For more on CCRI, visit www.cybercivilrights.org.
CCRI is so pleased to welcome Belle Torek as the newest member to the CCRI Advisory Committee. @belletorek.bsky.social is a lawyer, writer, and advocate with an unwavering commitment to combatting image-based sexual abuse. cybercivilrights.org/belle-torek-...
Belle Torek, Esq. - Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Belle Torek is an attorney, tech policy advocate, and researcher at the intersection of free expression and online safety. She is a Technology Safety Specialist with the Safety Net Project...
cybercivilrights.org
April 4, 2025 at 7:44 PM
CCRI is so pleased to welcome Belle Torek as the newest member to the CCRI Advisory Committee. @belletorek.bsky.social is a lawyer, writer, and advocate with an unwavering commitment to combatting image-based sexual abuse. cybercivilrights.org/belle-torek-...
It can be hard to know what to do if you come across imaged-based sexual abuse online or in your messaging apps. If you have witnessed #IBSA, CCRI’s #Bystander Guidance offers empowering steps you can take. Remember, do take care of yourself as well. bit.ly/3DUqiR4
bit.ly
March 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It can be hard to know what to do if you come across imaged-based sexual abuse online or in your messaging apps. If you have witnessed #IBSA, CCRI’s #Bystander Guidance offers empowering steps you can take. Remember, do take care of yourself as well. bit.ly/3DUqiR4
"...CCRI has serious reservations about S. 146’s reporting and removal requirements." Please see CCRI's full statement on the Take It Down Act here.
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-welcome...
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-welcome...
CCRI Welcomes Recent Calls for Federal Legislation against Image-Based Sexual Abuse - Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
For Immediate Release Contact:Mary Anne Franks, JD, DPhilPresident, Cyber Civil Rights Initiativehttps://cybercivilrights.org/contact-us/ Please also see the CCRI Media Guide CCRI Welcomes Recent Cal...
cybercivilrights.org
March 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
"...CCRI has serious reservations about S. 146’s reporting and removal requirements." Please see CCRI's full statement on the Take It Down Act here.
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-welcome...
cybercivilrights.org/ccri-welcome...
Thank you to Adi Robertson and The Verge for linking to CCRI's FAQ section in this important article.
www.theverge.com/policy/62497...
www.theverge.com/policy/62497...
The Take It Down Act isn’t a law, it’s a weapon
It’s not a law, it’s a weapon.
www.theverge.com
March 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Thank you to Adi Robertson and The Verge for linking to CCRI's FAQ section in this important article.
www.theverge.com/policy/62497...
www.theverge.com/policy/62497...
Direct service providers across various disciplines are observing #IBSA in their caseloads. Frontline professionals seeking guidance on how to respond to this issue might find CCRI’s Intake Tool helpful: cybercivilrights.org/wp-content/u...
cybercivilrights.org
February 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Direct service providers across various disciplines are observing #IBSA in their caseloads. Frontline professionals seeking guidance on how to respond to this issue might find CCRI’s Intake Tool helpful: cybercivilrights.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Congrats @daniellecitron.bsky.social on being the top cited legal scholar in 2024! I’m #34! & congrats @margotkaminski.bsky.social @hartzog.bsky.social @katieeyer.bsky.social @daniel-solove.bsky.social @aselbst.bsky.social @maggieblackhawk.bsky.social @evanbernick.bsky.social @vanloo.bsky.social !
February 12, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Congrats @daniellecitron.bsky.social on being the top cited legal scholar in 2024! I’m #34! & congrats @margotkaminski.bsky.social @hartzog.bsky.social @katieeyer.bsky.social @daniel-solove.bsky.social @aselbst.bsky.social @maggieblackhawk.bsky.social @evanbernick.bsky.social @vanloo.bsky.social !
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Pleased to see that the SHIELD Act, the federal bill prohibiting nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NDII) that is based on the model statute I wrote for @cybercivilrights.bsky.social over a decade ago, has just been reintroduced in the Senate: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...
Klobuchar, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Online Exploitation of Private Images
The Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act ensures that federal prosecutors have appropriate and effective tools to address serious privacy violations
WASHINGTON &...
www.klobuchar.senate.gov
February 13, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Pleased to see that the SHIELD Act, the federal bill prohibiting nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NDII) that is based on the model statute I wrote for @cybercivilrights.bsky.social over a decade ago, has just been reintroduced in the Senate: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...
Sextortion is a serious offense and is never the fault of the victim-survivor. For tips on what to do if you or someone you know is the target of a sextortion scam, please read this CCRI Bulletin. Remember, you are not alone. bit.ly/4jnr354
bit.ly
February 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Sextortion is a serious offense and is never the fault of the victim-survivor. For tips on what to do if you or someone you know is the target of a sextortion scam, please read this CCRI Bulletin. Remember, you are not alone. bit.ly/4jnr354
CCRI invites you to read our blog, “Staying Safe Online: How to Minimize Your Risk of Image-Based Sexual Abuse,” originally written for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. We are deeply grateful to #NDVH for their partnership and meaningful work. #IBSA bit.ly/4hkLZrW
Staying Safe Online: How to Minimize Your Risk of Image-Based Sexual Abuse - Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
As a community, we strive to adopt terms that clearly, consistently, and respectfully describe the evolving landscape of technology-facilitated sexual abuse.
bit.ly
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
CCRI invites you to read our blog, “Staying Safe Online: How to Minimize Your Risk of Image-Based Sexual Abuse,” originally written for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. We are deeply grateful to #NDVH for their partnership and meaningful work. #IBSA bit.ly/4hkLZrW
Reposted by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Fridays are for pausing. #Take9
Fridays are great days... for scammers! As we sometimes let our guard down heading into the weekend, let's do our part to protect ourselves & our communities. #Take9 -a 9 second pause can go a long way. Learn more at bit.ly/gate15-Take9 & @pausetake9.bsky.social cc @gate15.bsky.social #cybersecurity
Take9
Learn how to protect yourself from cyber threats. Take 9 seconds to pause and think before engaging with suspicious emails, messages, or links to avoid phishing and online scams.
bit.ly
January 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Fridays are for pausing. #Take9