Protecting Human Dignity in a Digital Age: Why HB347 Matters

Alabama has long understood a simple truth: technology should serve people—not exploit them. House Bill 347 recognizes that truth and applies it to one of the most urgent moral challenges of our time.

This bill is not about politics. It is not about punishing innovation. It is about human dignity, personal consent, and protecting the vulnerable. And it deserves the strong support of the Alabama Legislature.

A New Tool for an Old Sin

Scripture reminds us that “there is nothing new under the sun.” The methods may change, but the sin remains the same.

For generations, Alabama law has recognized that exploiting another human being for sexual purposes is wrong—especially when it is done without consent. What has changed is the tool. Today, a person no longer needs a camera, proximity, or even access to the victim. With a few clicks, publicly accessible applications can digitally undress, sexualize, or fabricate explicit images of real people—often women and minors—without their knowledge or consent.

These images are then sold, shared, and circulated indefinitely. For the victim, the harm is not theoretical. It is personal. It is lasting. And in many cases, it is devastating.

Protecting Victims Without Criminalizing Innovation

One of the strengths of HB347 is its restraint. The bill does not criminalize artificial intelligence. It does not target neutral platforms or lawful speech. Instead, it draws a clear moral and legal line: those who knowingly or recklessly profit from sexual exploitation should be held accountable.

HB347 applies only where there is reckless disregard for consent, where platforms facilitate abuse for payment, or where applications are designed and marketed for exploitation.

A Lifeline for Victims

Perhaps most importantly, HB347 gives victims something they currently lack: hope and recourse. Under current law, many victims are told there is nothing that can be done. Requests for removal go unanswered. Images remain online. The damage continues to spread.

HB347 changes that by restoring balance and accountability. It requires a clear and accessible removal process, mandates timely responses, and allows civil remedies.

A Moral Responsibility

The Christian faith teaches that every person is made in the image of God. To strip someone of dignity—whether physically or digitally—is not merely a legal issue. It is a moral one.

When technology is used to humiliate, exploit, or dehumanize another person—especially a child—it crosses a line that society must not ignore. Neutrality in the face of exploitation is not compassion. Silence in the face of abuse is not wisdom. Alabama has a responsibility to act.

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