President Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, criminalizing the sharing of nonconsensual intimate images and mandating swift online takedown procedures, sparking bipartisan praise and civil liberties concerns.
At a Glance
- The Take It Down Act criminalizes distribution of nonconsensual and AI-generated intimate images
- Platforms must remove flagged content within 48 hours of complaint
- First Lady Melania Trump advocated for the law under her “Be Best” initiative
- The bill passed with broad bipartisan support from both chambers of Congress
- Civil liberties groups warn of censorship risks and burdens on smaller tech platforms
Landmark Law Targets Digital Exploitation
On May 19, President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, creating federal penalties for individuals who share or threaten to share nonconsensual intimate images—including AI-generated deepfakes. The act requires platforms to remove flagged content within 48 hours and introduces enforcement mechanisms through the Federal Trade Commission.
Formally known as the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act, the bill passed the House by a 409–2 vote and was unanimously approved by the Senate. It represents one of the most aggressive federal efforts to combat online exploitation to date, especially in the context of rising deepfake abuse.
Watch a report: President Trump and First Lady Melania sign the Take It Down Act into law in the Rose Garden.
Melania Trump and Bipartisan Momentum
The bill received strong backing from First Lady Melania Trump, who championed it as an extension of her “Be Best” campaign. “With the rise of AI image generation, countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will,” President Trump said during the signing ceremony.
Introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, the bill drew bipartisan support and endorsement from major tech firms. Meta spokesman Andy Stone said, “Having an intimate image—real or AI-generated—shared without consent can be devastating, and Meta developed and backs many efforts to help prevent it,” echoing the industry’s growing emphasis on content accountability.
Civil Liberties Concerns and Implementation Challenges
Despite broad legislative support, civil liberties advocates have raised concerns. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that the law’s expansive language may lead to unintended censorship and potential First Amendment conflicts. “Good intentions alone are not enough to make good policy,” the group said in a statement.
Smaller online platforms have also expressed worry about their ability to meet the act’s strict 48-hour content removal timeline. Critics caution that the law could unintentionally encourage over-removal of content or limit lawful speech as a risk-averse response to liability.
As the Take It Down Act takes effect, policymakers and watchdog groups will closely monitor its real-world impact—balancing the urgent need to protect victims of digital exploitation with the imperative to safeguard free expression and due process.
