The study, conducted by the National Organization for Women and Incogni, underscores the inadequacy of U.S. federal laws in protecting women from online harassment. Key legislative gaps include the absence of a federal data privacy law, a federal anti-doxxing law, and clear legal status for AI deepfakes. The research calls for legal reforms to ensure digital spaces are safe and accessible for all users, emphasizing the need for better protection for women online.
Key takeaways:
- One in four American women experience online abuse, with women of color and those aged 18–34 at greatest risk.
- AI deepfakes, revenge porn, and doxxing have severe impacts on women's everyday lives, affecting self-esteem, mental health, and financial wellbeing.
- Women from mixed ethnic backgrounds and Latina or Hispanic women experience the highest rates of online abuse, particularly sexually-motivated abuse.
- Federal law lacks adequate protection for women online, with gaps in data privacy, anti-doxxing laws, and the legal status of AI deepfakes.