United States enacts Take It Down Act to criminalize nonconsensual deepfakes

President Donald J. Trump has signed the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act, known as the Take It Down Act, into federal law. The legislation targets the online publication of nonconsensual sexual images, including both authentic photos and AI-generated deepfakes.

The Act establishes a uniform federal standard to address inconsistencies in state laws, which often lack explicit provisions for AI-generated content. Under the new law, individuals face fines and imprisonment for the publication or threat of publication of such images. Additionally, internet companies are required to remove reported nonconsensual images from their platforms within 48 hours of receiving notice. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will provide oversight to ensure a streamlined removal process for victims.