In a powerful bipartisan move, the House of Representatives has passed the 'Take It Down' Act with a staggering 409–2 vote, marking a decisive legislative effort to combat the surge in AI-generated nonconsensual explicit content.
This new legislation directly targets the growing threat of deepfake pornography by making it a federal crime to create or share nonconsensual, AI-manipulated sexual images. Under the act, digital platforms are now required to remove any flagged content within 72 hours and must implement streamlined systems to handle victim complaints.
Key Protections and Enforcement Measures
- Criminal penalties for creators and distributors of deepfake revenge content
- Mandatory takedown windows for websites and platforms: 72 hours
- Victims granted the right to sue for damages and emotional harm
President Donald Trump endorsed the bill earlier this year, calling it a “critical defense of personal dignity in the digital age.” Support has poured in from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers, along with online safety groups and civil rights advocates.
The act is seen as a landmark moment in addressing how AI technologies are misused to violate privacy, especially impacting women and minors. Lawmakers praised the law’s strong teeth and clear accountability structure for tech companies.
Platforms Under Pressure
Social media and adult content platforms now face strict obligations to monitor and promptly remove flagged content. Failure to comply with the 72-hour window may result in fines, lawsuits, and federal penalties. The law mirrors existing child protection frameworks but expands them to cover synthetic media abuses.
Organizations like the Cybersmile Foundation have applauded the law, calling it “one of the most significant digital safety wins of the decade.”
Victims can now take legal action directly, adding a civil route for justice in addition to criminal prosecution.
A New Era of Accountability
This law not only empowers victims but also challenges tech companies to adopt stronger moderation tools against AI-generated abuse. The message from Congress is clear: the internet may be free, but it is no longer lawless.
