PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 55 · Passed Senate · May 20, 2026
Safe Cloud Storage Act
This bill limits the civil and criminal liability of vendors that contract with law enforcement agencies to provide digital storage services (e.g., remote or cloud-based storage) for storing, maintaining, and processing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in investigations of online child sexual exploitation.
Under current law, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives reports of online child sexual exploitation via its CyberTipline, evaluates and prioritizes the reports, and refers the reports to law enforcement agencies to investigate. Currently, federal law limits the liability of vendors that contract directly with the NCMEC to store and transfer CSAM. However, federal law does not limit the liability of vendors that contract with law enforcement agencies to assist in investigations.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
This bill establishes liability protections for vendors that contract with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to store, maintain, and process CSAM in investigations of online child sexual exploitation. Specifically, the bill prohibits a civil claim or criminal charge in federal or state court against such a vendor, so long as the vendor has not engaged in intentional misconduct or negligent conduct, acted with malice or reckless disregard, or acted for a purpose unrelated to its contractual duties.
The bill requires vendors to comply with cybersecurity requirements for CSAM that is stored, maintained, or processed. The bill also requires vendors to comply with storage requirements for CSAM that is retained as evidence.
People & committees
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] · R–TN
Legislative record
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Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2427-2428)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2426-2428)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 345.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Oct 31, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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