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SIIA Statement on the Take It Down Act

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The following statement can be attributed to Chris Mohr, President, the Software & Information Industry Association.

 

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) congratulates Senators Cruz and Klobuchar on the Senate passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act to criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including deepfake revenge pornography and to create a process for social media platforms to take down NCII.  In the remaining weeks of the 118th Congress, we urge the House to pass this bill along with the related bill passed by the Senate earlier this year – the DEFIANCE Act, which would create civil liability for those who create and share NCII.  Together these bills will fill a gap in the law and help bring an end to the scourge of NCII.

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SIIA and Joins 16 Organizations in Urging Congress to Pass the DEFIANCE Act

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SIIA joins 16 organizations in urging Congress to pass the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act (S.3696), which would establish a federal civil remedy for victims of synthetic non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). With unanimous Senate approval, this legislation represents a critical step toward protecting individuals from the escalating abuse of AI technology to create and distribute explicit, non-consensual content. As incidents of synthetic NCII rise—impacting not only adults but also children in schools—the DEFIANCE Act offers a necessary tool to hold perpetrators accountable and restore agency to victims.

The technology enabling synthetic NCII allows bad actors to generate intimate images from ordinary photos in seconds, causing devastating harm to victims’ privacy, mental health, and reputations. By clarifying existing Violence Against Women Act provisions to include AI-generated images, the DEFIANCE Act provides a framework for justice. SIIA and its coalition partners urge House leadership to act swiftly during the lame-duck session, emphasizing that every day of delay means more lives disrupted by this form of exploitation.

Full Letter Here
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SIIA Advocates for Inclusion of FIT Procurement Act in FY25 NDAA

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In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, SIIA urges Congress to include H.R. 9595, the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act, in the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to modernize federal technology procurement, fostering innovation and efficiency by streamlining acquisition practices, enabling subscription-based pricing for AI and cloud services, and expanding opportunities for startups and small businesses. By raising the Micro-Purchase Threshold and Simplified Acquisition Threshold, the Act would enhance competition, reduce bureaucratic delays, and equip federal agencies with tools to adopt cutting-edge technologies.

SIIA emphasizes the critical importance of these updates to empower federal agencies to meet evolving technological needs effectively. The Act’s provisions, including support for training procurement officers and promoting flexible, high-quality solutions, align with broader goals of government modernization and national security. Incorporating H.R. 9595 into the NDAA would represent a vital step forward in ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in technology innovation while maximizing value and efficiency in federal procurement.

Full Letter Here
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SIIA Submits Comments on DOJ’s Proposed Rules for Executive Order 14117

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The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has submitted comments on the Department of Justice’s proposed rules for implementing Executive Order 14117, aimed at preventing unauthorized access to Americans’ sensitive personal and government-related data by foreign adversaries. While SIIA recognizes the importance of the order’s goals, it highlights several areas needing refinement to avoid unintended consequences. Key concerns include the overly broad definition of “bulk sensitive data,” the inclusion of anonymized and encrypted data under its scope, and ambiguities surrounding terms like “data brokerage” and “covered persons.”

SIIA also urges the Department to align definitions and requirements with existing U.S. state and federal privacy laws to reduce compliance burdens and prevent regulatory confusion. Recommendations include clearer definitions of key terms, exemptions for privacy-protective practices such as anonymization, and practical approaches to diligence requirements. These measures, SIIA emphasizes, will help safeguard sensitive data while ensuring clarity and feasibility for businesses seeking to comply in good faith.

Full Letter Here
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SIIA Joins Letter Supporting the CREATE AI Act and Future of AI Innovation Act

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The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) signed on to a letter urging Congress to take decisive action on artificial intelligence (AI) legislation before the close of the 118th Congress. The letter emphasizes the importance of passing bipartisan bills such as the CREATE AI Act and the Future of AI Innovation Act to promote responsible AI development and safeguard public safety.

The CREATE AI Act (S. 2714 & H.R. 5077) would provide researchers with the computing power necessary to analyze AI models and assess their risks, while the Future of AI Innovation Act (S. 4178) would bolster NIST’s role in guiding the responsible development of this transformative technology. SIIA and other signatories call on Congress to prioritize these measures to address AI’s rapid advancement and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Full Letter Here