Soto Introduces SHIELD Act to Protect Victims of Online Identity Theft

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) recently introduced H.R. 8463, the Stopping Hijacking of Identity Expressly for Libel on Domains (SHIELD) Act — legislation to ensure individuals whose social media accounts are used without their consent to post libelous, scandalous, and criminal content have legal recourse against identity thieves.

“The internet is a vastly different place today than it was nearly 30 years ago when the Communications Decency Act was signed into law. It is now time to review common-sense reform that gives individuals legal recourse when their identities are used online by bad actors to spread libelous content,” said Congressman Soto. “With the SHIELD Act, we’re holding those who commit these crimes accountable and ensuring that victims have somewhere to go to defend their reputation and receive justice.”

Last year, Rep. Soto began working with News 6 to find solutions to this issue after reports of affected Central Floridians became public. In April, Rep. Soto brought these stories to light during a Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing and vowed to introduce legislation to help victims.

H.R. 8463 was referred to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce upon its introduction. Please click here for the full text of the bill.

###