Combating Online Predators Act of 2025; COP Act of 2025
Summary
The Combating Online Predators Act of 2025 (COP Act of 2025) aims to prohibit threats to minors, specifically concerning the distribution of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation. The bill amends sections 2252 and 2252A of Title 18, United States Code, to include threats to distribute such material. It targets individuals who knowingly distribute, offer, send, or provide threats related to visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Expected Effects
The Act will expand the scope of existing laws concerning child pornography and sexual exploitation to include threats related to the distribution of visual depictions. This could lead to increased prosecution and deterrence of individuals who threaten to create or distribute such material. It also aims to protect minors from online predators and exploitation.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Protection for Minors: The Act directly addresses threats against minors, providing additional legal safeguards.
- Deters Online Predators: By criminalizing threats, the Act aims to deter individuals from engaging in predatory behavior online.
- Strengthened Legal Framework: Amending existing laws provides a clearer and more comprehensive legal framework for prosecuting offenders.
- Addresses Evolving Threats: The Act adapts to the evolving landscape of online exploitation by including threats related to visual depictions.
- Interstate Commerce Clause: The bill leverages the interstate commerce clause to extend federal jurisdiction over online threats.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Overreach: The broad language could potentially lead to the prosecution of individuals for expressing threats without the intent to act.
- First Amendment Concerns: The Act may face challenges based on freedom of speech, particularly if the definition of a 'threat' is not clearly defined.
- Enforcement Challenges: Identifying and prosecuting online threats can be difficult, requiring significant resources and technical expertise.
- Impact on Free Speech: The act could potentially chill legitimate online expression due to fear of prosecution.
- Unintended Consequences: The act may have unintended consequences on online communication and expression.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's alignment with the Constitution is complex. While it aims to protect minors, it also raises concerns about the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. The government's power to regulate threats is generally recognized, but the scope of that power is subject to judicial review. The Act also relies on the Interstate Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) to establish federal jurisdiction, which is a well-established basis for federal lawmaking.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).