On April 28, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at combating the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfake pornography. The legislation criminalizes the publication of such content and mandates that online platforms remove reported material within 48 hours. The bill now awaits President Donald Trump's signature to become law.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act, officially titled the "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act," was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and co-sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The Senate unanimously passed the bill in February 2025, and the House followed with a 409-2 vote.

The legislation makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes. It also requires online platforms to remove reported NCII within 48 hours of notification from victims and to take reasonable steps to delete duplicate content. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce these requirements, holding platforms accountable for compliance.

The bill has received endorsements from both progressive and conservative groups, reflecting a unified stance against digital exploitation. Major technology firms such as Meta and Snapchat have supported the bill, recognizing the need for a balanced approach to regulating AI-generated content and protecting users from exploitation.

First Lady Melania Trump publicly supported the TAKE IT DOWN Act, advocating for its passage to protect teenagers, especially girls, from the damaging effects of revenge porn. Her involvement included appearances on Capitol Hill to promote the legislation.

Senator Ted Cruz emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, "There’s too many predators out there who are abusing new technologies like generative artificial intelligence to spread fake and exploitative sexual images online, particularly against young girls and teenagers."

While the legislation aims to provide robust protections for individuals, particularly minors and women, who are disproportionately affected by the dissemination of non-consensual intimate imagery, some civil liberties organizations have raised concerns. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has expressed that the bill's provisions could lead to overreach and censorship, potentially infringing on free expression and due process.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act represents a landmark effort by the U.S. Congress to address the growing issue of AI-generated deepfake pornography and non-consensual intimate imagery. As the bill awaits the President's signature, its implementation and impact will be closely monitored by advocates, critics, and the public alike.