South Carolina Passes Landmark Law Criminalizing Revenge Porn and Deepfakes
May 29, 2025 – In a long-anticipated move, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed into law House Bill H.3058, also known as the Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act. This new legislation criminalizes the non-consensual sharing of intimate images—including AI-generated “deepfakes”—and positions South Carolina in line with the rest of the nation in combating digital sexual exploitation.
What the New Law Does
The new law addresses both traditional revenge porn and the growing threat of digitally altered or AI-generated intimate images. Key provisions include:
- Felony Charges: Sharing intimate images with the intent to cause harm—whether emotional, reputational, or economic—can result in up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders face up to ten years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
- Misdemeanor Charges: Even without intent to cause harm, sharing private images without consent is now a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $5,000 in fines.
- No Implied Consent: The law makes clear that simply consenting to the creation or initial sharing of an image does not imply consent to further distribution.
Addressing Deepfake Abuse
In a critical addition, the law also includes “digitally forged intimate images”—targeting deepfake pornography created with artificial intelligence. As deepfake technology becomes increasingly accessible and realistic, this provision ensures South Carolina residents are protected from this evolving form of abuse.
South Carolina Joins the Nation
Prior to this act, South Carolina was the only state in the country that had no criminal statute addressing the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images. With the passage of H.3058, the state has taken a vital step to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable in the digital age.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
This law empowers victims of image-based abuse with new legal remedies. If you or a loved one has been a victim of revenge porn or AI-generated deepfake content, you now have additional rights under South Carolina law.
Our firm is experienced in representing victims of non-consensual image distribution and is ready to help you pursue justice. We offer confidential consultations and compassionate legal support.
Contact us today to learn more about your rights under this important new law.
Sources:
Live5News: McMaster holds signing for SC revenge porn bill
Governor’s Office Announcement
