Arizona’s PROTECT Act, introduced by Arizona State Representative Nick Kupper following outreach from Uldouz Wallace, is advancing toward final approval, marking a critical step in addressing the growing global crisis of online exploitation, non-consensual content, and AI-generated deepfake abuse. The legislation has already passed out of the Arizona State House with a bipartisan supermajority and now moves closer to becoming law as momentum builds across the United States and internationally.
State Representative Nick Kupper has taken a leading role in advancing the legislation in Arizona, building on his track record of supporting policies focused on online safety and protecting vulnerable individuals. His leadership on the PROTECT Act reflects a broader commitment to addressing emerging digital threats and ensuring stronger safeguards for children and non-consenting adults.
The legislation was introduced following discussions and outreach from Uldouz Wallace, founder of Foundation RA and creator of the PROTECT Act, whose work over the past four years has focused on establishing preventative protections against online exploitation. Wallace’s advocacy and policy framework have played a key role in shaping the bill’s approach to stopping harm before it occurs.
Wallace, a survivor of the 2014 iCloud hack leak, developed the PROTECT Act after identifying a critical gap in existing laws, where victims are forced to pursue takedowns after content has already spread, rather than preventing exploitation at the source.
The PROTECT Act introduces a preventative legal framework designed to stop non-consensual content before it is uploaded. By focusing on accountability at the point of upload—particularly on adult platforms—the legislation addresses the root cause of online exploitation rather than its aftermath.
“With the rise of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology, anyone can become a victim in an instant,” Wallace said. “This is affecting women, children, and men from all walks of life. The scale of this crisis requires prevention, not reaction.”
Kupper emphasized the urgency and intent behind the bill:
“This bill protects children and non-consenting adults before the harm happens. It passed out of the Arizona State House with a bipartisan supermajority. I’m the same legislator who ran Arizona’s age verification bill that Governor Hobbs signed into law last year. Governor Hobbs now has the opportunity to do the right thing and sign this into law to protect people and children from becoming new victims.”
Support for the PROTECT Act continues to grow across both the public and private sectors. Major technology companies including Meta and Google are supporting the PROTECT Act, recognizing the urgent need for stronger safeguards against non-consensual content and large-scale digital exploitation. The Free Speech Coalition has taken a neutral position, signaling it will not oppose the legislation following discussions around implementation.
Beyond Arizona, the PROTECT Act is gaining traction at the federal level in the United States and across multiple states, while rapidly expanding internationally.
In the United Kingdom, Amendment 300 to the Crime and Policing Bill has been introduced, advancing the same standard established by the PROTECT Act and reinforcing a broader international shift toward preventative legislation. Wallace has worked closely with the UK’s Cyber Helpline and founded the Global Online Harms Alliance, advocating for these protections internationally for over four years.
Global institutions and coalitions are increasingly aligning around the same approach. The United Nations, European Union, African Union, and the Spotlight Initiative are all part of the growing movement supporting stronger protections against image-based abuse, alongside world leaders recognizing the urgent need for systemic change.
Countries including Canada and Australia are also moving in the same direction, as policymakers respond to the rapid rise of AI-driven exploitation, deepfakes, and non-consensual content.
“For too long, survivors have been forced to chase their abuse across the internet after the damage is already done,” Wallace said. “The PROTECT Act changes that. It prevents the harm before it begins.”
With bipartisan support in Arizona and strong leadership driving the bill forward, the PROTECT Act now stands at a decisive moment. Governor Hobbs has the opportunity to sign the legislation into law, positioning Arizona as a leader in protecting individuals from online exploitation and preventing future victims in the age of artificial intelligence.
As adoption accelerates across the U.S. and globally, the PROTECT Act is emerging as a defining legal framework in the fight against digital exploitation and non-consensual content.
If you or someone you know is a victim of online exploitation, Foundation RA provides free takedown services, legal support, therapy resources, and guidance for individuals navigating these situations. To support Foundation RA’s ongoing efforts to protect victims and drive legislative change, visit https://foundationra.com.
