President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan Take It Down Act into law on Monday, a groundbreaking measure that targets the non-consensual online sharing of intimate images, whether real or AI-generated. The law requires major tech platforms to swiftly remove such content within 48 hours of being notified, in an effort to protect individuals from digital exploitation.
The legislation, which is effective immediately, represents a significant milestone in the fight against online abuse. First Lady Melania Trump joined the president for the signing ceremony, underscoring the importance of the law in safeguarding individuals, especially young people, from image-based harm.
Melania Trump has been a vocal advocate for children’s safety in the digital age, highlighting the dangers of AI and social media in shaping beliefs and emotions. She emphasized the need to address the weaponization of technology, particularly in the context of non-consensual intimate imagery.
The Take It Down Act comes at a critical time, with a rise in incidents of deepfake pornography and unauthorized image sharing. Notable figures like Taylor Swift and Jamie Lee Curtis, as well as minors, have fallen victim to the dissemination of AI-generated images without their consent, some of which are explicit in nature.
This legislation marks one of the first federal responses to the growing threat posed by generative AI. It criminalizes the publication or threat of publishing non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes, with the intent to harm or harass. Violators will face severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
The law specifically prohibits the online dissemination of intimate visual depictions of adults or minors without their consent, particularly when it is intended to cause harm. It also addresses scenarios where the images were obtained without the subject’s knowledge or under circumstances where privacy was expected.
Websites and online platforms hosting user-generated content are required to implement a clear takedown process and remove duplicates of flagged material. The bill garnered overwhelming support in Congress, passing the House with a vote of 409-2 and receiving unanimous consent in the Senate.
Melania Trump played a crucial role in advocating for the bill, engaging directly with lawmakers and amplifying the voices of victims. Her efforts included hosting a roundtable with survivors on Capitol Hill and bringing a victim, Elliston Berry, as her guest to the president’s address to Congress in March.
The Take It Down Act signifies a significant step towards protecting individuals from digital exploitation and ensuring a safer online environment for all. With the law now in effect, it sets a precedent for holding perpetrators of non-consensual image abuse accountable and upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals in the digital sphere.