House passes Melania Trump-backed revenge porn, deep fake bill: TAKE IT DOWN Act
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that was strongly supported by the first lady, Melania Trump. The bill aims to crack down on the posting of explicit images, including “deep fake” nudes created using artificial intelligence, without the consent of the individuals depicted. The bill, known as the TAKE IT DOWN Act, was approved by a vote of 409-2 and is now awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, whether authentic or computer-generated. It requires online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence. The bill specifically targets the online publication of intimate visual depictions that are intended to cause harm to the subject and have been published without their consent. It also addresses the publication of such images involving minors, with the intent to abuse or harass the minor.
Violators of the TAKE IT DOWN Act are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, or both. The bill also prohibits threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject and imposes criminal penalties for such actions. Platforms are required to establish a process for victims of revenge porn to notify them of the existence of images and request removal, with a 48-hour deadline for removal.
The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in January and was approved by the Senate in February. It was brought to the House by Representative Maria Salazar. House Republicans commended the efforts of the first lady, Senator Cruz, and Representative Salazar in passing this crucial legislation to protect individuals from deepfake exploitation.
Melania Trump expressed her gratitude for the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, emphasizing the importance of protecting victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse. She highlighted the courage of survivors and advocates whose voices drove the legislation forward. Melania Trump also praised her colleagues for their bipartisan efforts in passing the bill to safeguard children from online exploitation.
The first lady’s commitment to protecting children is evident in her BE BEST awareness campaign, which focuses on the well-being of children and highlights programs dedicated to ensuring a better future for the next generation. Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative provides college-level scholarships to individuals aging out of the foster care system.
In conclusion, the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act marks a significant step in combatting online exploitation and protecting individuals from deepfake abuse. Melania Trump’s advocacy for children and dedication to creating a safer digital future are commendable, and her efforts in guiding the bill through Congress are a testament to her commitment to the well-being of children and families.
