Connecticut law lets harmed people sue over synthetic intimate images

A person harmed by unlawful sharing may sue the person who knowingly shared the image to cause harm. The image must show specified intimate body parts or a person engaged in sexual intercourse or sexually explicit conduct. The person bringing the case may seek an order to stop further sharing and damages caused by the sharing, including emotional distress and punitive damages. At the person's request, the court may protect their identity. The court may award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the winning side. A case must be filed within two years after the harmed person discovers the unlawful sharing. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.

Covered online platforms must provide a process for harmed people or the Attorney General to report an unlawfully shared image and request its removal. The process covers platforms defined by federal law and requests from a person harmed as described in the act or an authorized Attorney General representative. A request must include a valid signature, enough information to find the image, and a brief statement that it was shared without consent or otherwise breaks the law. A harmed person's request must also include contact information. Platforms must post clear, plain-language instructions. They must make reasonable efforts to find and remove copies. A platform acting in good faith under these rules is protected from claims based on disabling access to or removing an image. These platform rules take effect October 1, 2026. The 48-hour deadline starts when the platform receives a valid request.

The Attorney General may ask the Superior Court to penalize a covered platform that breaks these rules. This applies to covered platforms that violate the platform rules in the act. The Attorney General must petition the court, which may impose a penalty of up to $25,000 per day for each person harmed. The Attorney General may combine the case with another action they are allowed to bring. These rules take effect October 1, 2026.