Trump, alongside first lady, to sign bill criminalizing revenge porn and AI deepfakes
President Donald Trump is poised to sign the Take It Down Act, a groundbreaking bill aimed at combating internet abuse involving nonconsensual, explicit imagery. The bill, which is set to be signed at the White House on Monday afternoon, has been championed by First Lady Melania Trump since her husband’s inauguration.
The Take It Down Act, introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), seeks to criminalize the publication or threat of publication of nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated “deepfakes.” These deepfakes, created using artificial intelligence, have become a significant concern in recent years, with the bill aiming to address this growing threat.
The legislation, which passed unanimously in the Senate in February and received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives in April, would impose penalties of up to three years in prison for sharing nonconsensual intimate images involving minors and two years for images involving adults. Threat offenses involving minors would carry penalties of up to two and a half years in prison, while threats involving adults would carry penalties of up to one and a half years in prison.
In addition to criminalizing the sharing of nonconsensual intimate images, the bill would also require social media companies such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram to remove such content within 48 hours of notification from the victim. This provision aims to hold tech companies accountable for the dissemination of harmful content on their platforms.
The issue of nonconsensual intimate imagery has affected individuals of all ages and genders, as highlighted by the stories shared by victims at a recent roundtable discussion attended by the First Lady. Young women like Elliston Berry and Francesca Mani shared their experiences of having AI-generated deepfake images circulated online, while adults like Breeze Liu and Rep. Brandon Guffey recounted their own harrowing experiences with nonconsensual imagery and sextortion.
The Take It Down Act represents a significant step towards justice and healing for victims of nonconsensual intimate imagery. First Lady Melania Trump, who has been a vocal advocate for the bill, emphasized the importance of protecting children and adults from online exploitation and harassment. The bill, she said, is a powerful tool in ensuring a safe and secure online environment for all individuals.
As the President prepares to sign the Take It Down Act into law, it marks a pivotal moment in the fight against internet abuse and the protection of individuals’ privacy and dignity online. The legislation underscores the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and providing support and resources for victims of nonconsensual intimate imagery.
