House Passes Bipartisan ‘Take It Down Act’ to Combat Nonconsensual Explicit Imagery and AI-Generated Deepfakes, Awaiting Presidential Approval

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill that addresses the issue of nonconsensual distribution of sexually explicit imagery online, including content generated by artificial intelligence. This legislation, known as the “Take It Down Act,” aims to make it a federal crime to post both real and fake sexually explicit images and videos without the consent of the individuals involved. The bill, which has garnered support from First Lady Melania Trump, now awaits the president’s signature to become law.

The “Take It Down Act” mandates that social media companies and other online platforms remove such content within 48 hours of receiving a request from the victim. This requirement extends to deepfake content, which is increasingly being generated using artificial intelligence technologies. The legislation’s passage reflects a growing concern over the misuse of AI to create explicit content without consent, a problem that has been exacerbated by technological advancements.

The House of Representatives passed the bill with overwhelming support, as indicated by a 409-2 vote. The Senate had previously approved the legislation through unanimous consent earlier in the year. The bill’s passage is considered a significant achievement for Congress, which has often struggled to keep pace with rapid technological developments.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas highlighted the profound impact that nonconsensual explicit imagery can have on victims, noting that such experiences can be life-altering. The legislation’s advancement marks a concerted effort by lawmakers to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies and to protect individuals from the harmful effects of revenge porn and AI-generated explicit content. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law, further solidifying its provisions.