Following the White House's confirmation of signing the Take It Down Act, Cuban-American Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar expressed her satisfaction in a strong message on her X account. "Historic! My Take It Down Act will be signed today at the White House. Victims of deepfakes and online exploitation will finally have real protection, and tech giants will be held accountable," stated the congresswoman, extending her gratitude to First Lady Melania Trump "for leading this cause and supporting the victims."
The initiative received robust backing from U.S. President Donald Trump during his first address to Congress since returning to the White House. The full name of the proposal, Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (Take It Down Act), aims to combat the escalating threat posed by pornographic deepfakes and non-consensual intimate content (NCII).
This legislation seeks to shield victims from AI-generated revenge pornography. Such fabricated content, created through manipulated images, videos, or audio, can have dire consequences for the lives and reputations of those involved.
Key Provisions of the Take It Down Act
Among the central tenets of the bill are:
- Making it a federal offense to publish or threaten the publication of non-consensual intimate content across state lines.
- Mandating digital platforms to remove such content within 48 hours upon victim notification.
- Providing legal protection to authorities and healthcare professionals who work in good faith to assist victims.
- Applying the "reasonable person" test to determine if a deepfake realistically represents someone, thereby safeguarding First Amendment rights.
Bipartisan Support for a Pressing Issue
The legislative proposal was introduced in the House of Representatives by Salazar and her colleagues from both parties, including Madeleine Dean, Vern Buchanan, Debbie Dingell, August Pfluger, and Stacey Plaskett. In the Senate, Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar are spearheading the effort. This bipartisan support underscores the urgency of legislating on an issue that predominantly impacts women and girls. According to figures cited in the official statement, only 20 U.S. states have specific laws addressing deepfakes, with significant disparities in how these crimes are defined and penalized.
Melania Trump's Advocacy and Presidential Endorsement
Melania Trump reemerged to lend her voice to the initiative. In a joint address with Congresswoman Salazar, she spoke about the impact of manipulated content on the lives of young people and public figures. "It is heartbreaking to witness how young people, especially girls, are confronted with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes," Melania Trump expressed.
In his Congressional address, President Trump highlighted the severity of the problem and pledged to sign the bill as soon as it reached his desk. "Great work to criminalize the publication of such online images, which is terrible. And once it passes, I look forward to having it on my desk and signing that bill," he asserted.
The presidential endorsement emphasizes the importance of this legislation at a critical juncture, as the use of AI-based technologies rapidly expands for both constructive and malicious purposes.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the signing in a message posted on X. "This afternoon, in the Rose Garden, @POTUS, along with @FLOTUS, will sign the TAKE IT DOWN Act. First Lady Melania Trump was instrumental in the passage of this vital legislation. The TAKE IT DOWN Act will protect victims of digital exploitation..."
Understanding the Take It Down Act
What is the main goal of the Take It Down Act?
The primary aim of the Take It Down Act is to provide real protection to victims of deepfakes and online exploitation, holding tech companies accountable for the content on their platforms.
How does the Take It Down Act protect victims?
The Act criminalizes the distribution or threat of non-consensual intimate content and requires platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of notification, providing legal safeguards for those assisting victims.
Who supported the Take It Down Act in Congress?
The Act was supported by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including María Elvira Salazar, Madeleine Dean, Vern Buchanan, Debbie Dingell, August Pfluger, Stacey Plaskett, Ted Cruz, and Amy Klobuchar.