Congress Approves 'Take It Down Act' Targeting Deepfake Images

The Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill targeting the spread of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake images and videos online, has passed Congress with overwhelming support and is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump. The legislation, championed by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar as well as First Lady Melania Trump, makes it a federal crime to publish or even threaten to publish such content, including AI-generated imagery, without the subject’s consent. Online platforms will be required to remove flagged content within 48 hours of a takedown request, with enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and penalties including fines and jail time for violators. While the measure has earned praise for protecting victims and addressing the rapid spread of deepfake technologies, digital rights advocates warn that the law could encourage over-censorship, threaten free speech, and pose challenges for encrypted services. Despite these concerns, the Act is regarded as a significant step in combating digital image abuse, especially as deepfake technologies become more prevalent and accessible. The bill's passage reflects rare bipartisan agreement on tech safety, but debates continue over the balance between protecting privacy and safeguarding free expression.