The study underscores dissatisfaction with U.S. legal protections against online harassment, identifying gaps such as the absence of a federal data privacy law, anti-doxxing legislation, and clear legal status for AI deepfakes. These gaps leave women vulnerable in digital spaces, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legal measures to ensure safety and accessibility 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, Latina or Hispanic women, and African American women experience the highest rates of online abuse.
- Federal law lacks adequate protection for women online, with gaps in data privacy, anti-doxxing laws, and the legal status of AI deepfakes.