Congress Passes Take It Down Act, Reinforcing Protections Against Non-Consensual Imagery

Congress has passed the bipartisan Take It Down Act, requiring online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, within 48 hours of notification, or face federal penalties. The legislation, led by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar and strongly supported by First Lady Melania Trump, makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish explicit images without consent, with offenders facing fines and imprisonment. The bill addresses both real and digitally fabricated content, marking a significant federal response to the rise in explicit deepfakes and revenge porn. While the act has been widely praised for protecting victims and closing legal gaps, some critics warn about possible overreach and First Amendment concerns. The law has received backing from major tech companies like Meta and is expected to be signed by President Trump. Advocates highlight the bill as a critical step in reducing online exploitation and supporting survivors.