Press Release
House Passes Take It Down Act to Combat Nonconsensual Sharing of Explicit Images
In a historic move, the House of Representatives passed the Take It Down Act on Monday with overwhelming bipartisan support, voting 409 to 2 to criminalize the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit photos, including A.I.-generated "deepfakes." The legislation is poised for swift approval from President Trump, following a unanimous Senate vote in February.
Designed to tackle "revenge porn," the Take It Down Act mandates that social media platforms and online services remove such content within 48 hours of notification. This legislation, championed by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, represents the first significant internet content law since 2018. Klobuchar emphasized the bill’s importance in addressing the harmful effects of these images on vulnerable families and children.
The act’s passage signifies burgeoning frustration among lawmakers towards social media companies for hosting harmful content, especially targeting youth. Representative María Elvira Salazar remarked that the bill aims to curb the alarming rise of harassment directed at young girls, highlighting the manipulation and humiliation inflicted via explicit images.
Echoing trends seen in state legislation, the Take It Down Act joins a growing national effort against digital exploitation. With nearly every state, except South Carolina, having laws against revenge porn, at least 20 states also regulate sexually explicit deepfakes.
While the act drew wide support, some critics warn of potential threats to free expression, fearing that legitimate content could be wrongly removed. Representative Thomas Massie expressed concerns over its implications, labeling it a potential "slippery slope."
As the Take It Down Act heads to the White House, its passage underscores a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue about online safety and digital accountability in America.
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