Maher to Introduce Legislation That Would Ban Graphic Death Content from Social Media Following A Week of National Horror
In the wake of two nationally traumatizing events, Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) has introduced a new bill aimed at halting the unchecked spread of violent death footage across social media platforms.
The proposal would require social media platforms with more than 1 million monthly U.S. users to remove, within 24 hours of notice or awareness, any post, video, image, livestream or content depicting the violent death of a human being.
The second week of September 2025 marked a tragic turning point. Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee seeking safety and peace, was fatally stabbed aboard a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her final moments were recorded and circulated across TikTok, X, and Instagram—often accompanied by mocking captions and exploitative hashtags.
Days later, Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old political activist, was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. His death, streamed live, was clipped and reshared millions of times before any significant moderation action was taken.
“These are not just moments of violence. They are the very worst seconds of someone’s life—someone’s daughter, someone’s father—turned into digital entertainment for clicks. It’s unconscionable, and it has led to our society becoming desensitized,” said Maher.
While tech companies have long promised content moderation, the reality is far different. This will draw a clear legal boundary: Platforms must act swiftly or face real consequences.
“Iryna Zarutska, Charlie Kirk and countless other victims’ families do not deserve to have these horrible images and videos shared with such accessibility. We will never be able to eliminate this type of content entirely, but in the spirit of Charlie Kirk, my hope is that this bill will spark a much-needed conversation,” concluded Maher.