SHIELD Act of 2022

Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2022 or the SHIELD Act of 2022

This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of intimate visual depictions.

Specifically, it makes it a crime to knowingly distribute (or intentionally threaten to distribute) an intimate visual depiction of an individual (1) with knowledge of or reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent and reasonable expectation of privacy, and (2) without a reasonable belief that distributing the depiction touches a matter of public concern.

A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.