Stop Cybercriminals From Targeting Epileptics With Dangerous Flashing Images
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Sponsor: The Literacy Site
Cybercriminals are targeting people with epilepsy using seizure-inducing flashing images—Call for stronger protections and end this malicious behavior.
Every day, people with epilepsy and other photosensitive conditions face an alarming threat. Cybercriminals are using flashing images and GIFs as weapons to intentionally harm those vulnerable to seizures. These malicious attacks are not only dangerous—they are life-threatening. And yet, current laws and regulations fail to address this growing issue.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become breeding grounds for these targeted attacks. Hackers and trolls deliberately post seizure-inducing content, timed to reach victims when they are most engaged. In 2019, hackers hijacked the Epilepsy Foundation’s Twitter account during National Epilepsy Awareness Month to post flashing images and videos designed to cause seizures. This attack wasn’t just a random act of cruelty; it was premeditated and malicious, aimed at harming a vulnerable community1.
The Devastating Impact of Seizure-Inducing Attacks
Seizures caused by flashing content can have devastating consequences. For many, these episodes lead to physical injury, lasting neurological damage, and in some cases, death. Despite the severity, social media companies have been slow to act. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram still do not enforce meaningful protections against this type of targeted abuse. While these platforms have strict rules against hate speech and harassment, they have left a gaping hole in their policies when it comes to protecting individuals with photosensitive conditions2.
The U.K. Leads the Way with Zach’s Law
In the United Kingdom, lawmakers are beginning to take a stand. Zach’s Law, named after a young boy targeted with flashing images intended to trigger seizures, aims to criminalize sending harmful flashing media to individuals with epilepsy. This law would be the first of its kind, designed specifically to protect people from online attacks that can cause physical harm. The UK is leading the way, but the United States remains dangerously behind3.
It's Time for Action in the U.S.
We cannot wait for another attack. We must act now to demand that Congress pass laws that criminalize these acts, and that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) put in place regulations to hold social media platforms accountable. Those responsible for sending seizure-inducing content should face legal consequences, just as they would if they physically assaulted someone. This is a hate crime, and it must be treated as such.
Protecting the Vulnerable is a Moral Obligation
The U.S. legal system has a duty to protect all of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable. People with epilepsy deserve the same protections that are afforded to others facing targeted attacks. With the right laws and oversight in place, we can prevent these malicious acts from happening and ensure that social media platforms take swift action to protect their users.
Call to Action
Your voice matters. Together, we can push for change. By signing this petition, you are standing up for the rights of people with epilepsy and demanding that lawmakers and social media companies act now to stop this harmful behavior.
Sign the petition today and help ensure a safer future for everyone.
- Mahita Gajanan, Time (18 December 2019), "Epilepsy Foundation Presses Charges After Hackers Sent Seizure-Inducing Images to Its Twitter Followers."
- BBC News (16 April 2019), "Epilepsy charity calls for social media seizure warnings."
- Nicola Swanborough, Epilepsy Society (14 December 2021), "Zach's Law moves a step closer to protecting people with epilepsy online."
The Petition:
To the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram,
We, the undersigned, urgently call for your leadership to make it illegal to deliberately target individuals with photosensitive conditions through flashing images, videos, and GIFs on social media and other online platforms.
There has been a deeply concerning rise in cyberattacks designed to harm people with epilepsy and photosensitive conditions. Cybercriminals are intentionally posting seizure-inducing content with the explicit goal of causing harm. These attacks are not only cruel, but they have life-threatening consequences for individuals living with epilepsy. Despite the severe danger these actions pose, they often go unpunished due to the lack of specific legal protections and accountability measures on social media platforms.
Currently, social media platforms fail to provide adequate warnings about flashing content and are not enforcing sufficient policies to prevent these attacks. This negligence is unacceptable. While there are clear guidelines in place to protect other vulnerable groups from harassment and hate crimes, individuals with epilepsy are left vulnerable to life-threatening attacks with no legal recourse or platform intervention.
We urge Congress to introduce legislation that criminalizes the deliberate posting of seizure-inducing content, and we call on the FCC to establish stronger regulatory oversight over social media platforms, ensuring that they implement and enforce appropriate content warnings for flashing media. We further request that the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram take immediate action by updating their policies to recognize this as a serious violation of user safety, and by ensuring that malicious actors are banned and reported to law enforcement.
These necessary changes will protect vulnerable individuals from physical harm and online abuse. By taking action, you will help create a safer, more inclusive digital environment and ensure that people with photosensitive conditions can engage online without fear. Together, we can build a better future where every user is protected, regardless of their health condition.
Sincerely,
