The Take It Down Act, officially passed as the "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act," was signed into law by President Donald Trump on May 19, 2025.
The Act creates a new Federal crime to "knowingly publish" or threaten to publish intimate images without a person's consent, including AI-created "deepfakes." Trump signs "Take it Down Act," revenge porn bill backed by Melania Trump - CBS News. The keys provision for commercial sites or any is a mandatory takedown system. The bill requires online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) within 48 hours when someone reports it. Congress passes Take It Down Act to fight deepfake nudes, revenge porn - The Washington Post Platforms have one year from the signing of the bill to implement this process.
What Content Is Covered
The law specifically targets "non-consensual intimate visual depictions," which include:
- Traditional "revenge porn" (intimate images shared without consent)
- AI-generated deepfakes of a sexual nature
- Sexually explicit content as defined by the law includes uncovered genitals, pubic area, anus or post-pubescent female nipple of an identifiable individual; bodily sexual fluids; graphic sexual intercourse; bestiality; masturbation; sadistic or masochistic abuse; and "graphic or simulated lascivious exhibition" of intimate body parts.
The Take It Down Act was first proposed in 2024 after an incident where high school students in Aledo, Texas, were subjected to sexual harassment when another student took innocent photos of them and used software to manipulate the images to make them appear nude, which were then posted on Snapchat. TAKE IT DOWN Act - Wikipedia.
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite wide support, some groups have raised concerns:
Free speech advocates and digital rights groups argue the bill is too broad and could lead to censorship of legitimate images, including legal pornography and LGBTQ content. Some critics worry it could allow government monitoring of private communications and undermine due process. The Bill provides exceptions for government or law enforcement using it in investigative, protective, or intelligence activity; it provides an exception for commercial pornography where a participant has provided consent; and it has exceptions for journalism, news reporting, and other similar imagery. There are many additional concerns by free speech experts, but for purposes of this article, they will not be discussed.
Resources for Victims
While the law's takedown provisions won't be implemented for a year, there are existing resources for victims:
- The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative operates a free 24/7 hotline: 1-844-878-2274
- For minors, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers resources through their Cyber Tipline and a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-843-5678
- All 50 states and DC now have laws addressing image-based sexual abuse
The law represents a significant step in addressing the growing problem of nonconsensual intimate imagery, particularly as AI technology makes creating convincing deepfakes increasingly accessible.
Conclusion
I think the most important thing to remember can be summarized as:
- If you are in a relationship with someone, and you get mad, or want to get even with them and you possess intimate photos, do not publish them for revenge. To begin with, it is morally wrong and stupid. Now, it will be a federal crime in addition to a state offense.
- Teach your kids about this issue. Every week you should consciously remind kids of the usefulness of the Internet and AI, but equally important is the danger of the Internet and AI. Young people frequently engage in behavior without fully thinking about the consequences. Now, those behaviors may have federal criminal consequences.