On Monday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act, known as the TAKE IT DOWN Act, by a 409-2 vote. The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the Senate and brought to the House by Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL).
First Lady Melania Trump, who does not weigh in on public policy often, is a vocal supporter of the bill. In March, she hosted a roundtable on deepfake and revenge porn to advocate for the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Watch:
First Lady Melania Trump:
“I urge Congress to prioritize the passage of the Take It Down Act bill. This legislation is essential to address the growing concerns related to online safety, protecting individual rights, and promoting a healthier digital environment.”#BeBest pic.twitter.com/EGJfrRHlcS
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) March 3, 2025
Rep Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) voted against the bill.
The bill cracks down on the posting of explicit images, including “deep fake” nudes generated of people by artificial intelligence, without consent.
A bill summary states the measure “generally prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated, and requires certain online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence.”
It specifically prohibits online publication of “intimate visual depictions” of an adult subject “where publication is intended to cause or does cause harm to the subject, and where the depiction was published without the subject’s consent or, in the case of an authentic depiction, was created or obtained under circumstances where the adult had a reasonable expectation of privacy,” as well as “a minor subject where publication is intended to abuse or harass the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.”
“Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both,” according to the bill summary. “Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited under the bill and subject to criminal penalties.”
The legislation also requires platforms to establish a process where victims of revenge porn can notify them of the existence of images and request removal. The bill says platforms then have 48 hours to remove those images.
The First Lady cheered the victory on X sharing, “PASSED: Take It Down Act”
“Advancing this legislation has been a key focus since I returned to my role as First Lady this past January. I am honored to have contributed to guiding it through Congress.”
“By safeguarding children from hurtful online behavior today, we take a vital step in nurturing our leaders of tomorrow.”
PASSED: Take It Down Act
Advancing this legislation has been a key focus since I returned to my role as First Lady this past January. I am honored to have contributed to guiding it through Congress.By safeguarding children from hurtful online behavior today, we take a vital… https://t.co/1DfwrdUhIQ
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 28, 2025
The legislation will now go to President Trump to be signed.
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