The US Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, 11 May, advanced a bill that would help fight the spread of child sexual abuse material online. The legislation, which would allow child sex abuse victims to sue social media platforms that facilitate child exploitation, was unanimously approved by the panel. The legislation would also make it easier for victims to request the removal of child sex abuse material from online platforms, affecting major technology companies.

On the same day, the Committee also approved two other bills addressing serious privacy invasions related to the sharing of sexual images, including those of children, and improving law enforcement capacities for investigating and prosecuting online child exploitation. Earlier, the panel advanced another bill to hold technology companies responsible for promoting online child sexual abuse. 

Legislators from both parties have shown a willingness in recent months to protect children from online exploitation and strengthen their online safety and privacy.