U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the “Take It Down Act,” a landmark bill that criminalizes the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including those generated using artificial intelligence (AI). The legislation, which garnered strong bipartisan support in Congress, marks a significant move to address the growing threat of digital sexual exploitation, particularly through deepfake technology.
Speaking at a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump stated that the law would make it a federal crime to intentionally share explicit images without the subject’s consent, with violators facing up to three years in prison. He emphasized that the act mandates prompt removal of such content from online platforms, requiring websites to delete the images within 48 hours of notification or face civil penalties.
“With the rise of AI image generation, countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will,” Trump said. “And today we’re making it totally illegal.”
The event was also attended by First Lady Melania Trump, who made a rare public appearance in Washington and was a vocal supporter of the bill. She hailed the new law as a “national victory” aimed at protecting families and children from online exploitation. “This legislation is a powerful step forward in our efforts to ensure that every American, especially young people, can feel better protected from their image or identity being abused,” she said.
The “Take It Down Act” arrives in response to the increasing use of AI tools that allow users to create hyper-realistic but fake pornographic images, often targeting women. While several U.S. states, including California and Florida, have enacted similar laws at the state level, this is the first time such legislation has been adopted federally.
However, the bill has drawn criticism from some digital rights groups. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that it may give authorities excessive power to censor online speech, suggesting it could be misused to suppress content beyond its intended scope.
Despite the concerns, the law has been welcomed by many experts and victims’ advocates. Renee Cummings, an AI and data ethicist at the University of Virginia, called it a “significant step” in tackling the misuse of AI for exploitation. “Its effectiveness will depend on swift and sure enforcement, severe punishment for perpetrators and real-time adaptability to emerging digital threats,” she said.
Cases of deepfake abuse have surged across the U.S., with schools reporting incidents involving teenagers targeted by their classmates. Victims have faced harassment, bullying, and even blackmail, with experts warning of serious mental health consequences.
Dorota Mani, the mother of a young victim, praised the new law as empowering. “It’s a very important first step,” she said. “Now I have a legal weapon in my hand, which nobody can say no to.”
The signing of the “Take It Down Act” marks a defining moment in America’s digital policy landscape, setting a new legal standard for how technology-fueled abuse is addressed nationwide.
Speaking at a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump stated that the law would make it a federal crime to intentionally share explicit images without the subject’s consent, with violators facing up to three years in prison. He emphasized that the act mandates prompt removal of such content from online platforms, requiring websites to delete the images within 48 hours of notification or face civil penalties.
“With the rise of AI image generation, countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will,” Trump said. “And today we’re making it totally illegal.”
The event was also attended by First Lady Melania Trump, who made a rare public appearance in Washington and was a vocal supporter of the bill. She hailed the new law as a “national victory” aimed at protecting families and children from online exploitation. “This legislation is a powerful step forward in our efforts to ensure that every American, especially young people, can feel better protected from their image or identity being abused,” she said.
The “Take It Down Act” arrives in response to the increasing use of AI tools that allow users to create hyper-realistic but fake pornographic images, often targeting women. While several U.S. states, including California and Florida, have enacted similar laws at the state level, this is the first time such legislation has been adopted federally.
However, the bill has drawn criticism from some digital rights groups. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that it may give authorities excessive power to censor online speech, suggesting it could be misused to suppress content beyond its intended scope.
Despite the concerns, the law has been welcomed by many experts and victims’ advocates. Renee Cummings, an AI and data ethicist at the University of Virginia, called it a “significant step” in tackling the misuse of AI for exploitation. “Its effectiveness will depend on swift and sure enforcement, severe punishment for perpetrators and real-time adaptability to emerging digital threats,” she said.
Cases of deepfake abuse have surged across the U.S., with schools reporting incidents involving teenagers targeted by their classmates. Victims have faced harassment, bullying, and even blackmail, with experts warning of serious mental health consequences.
Dorota Mani, the mother of a young victim, praised the new law as empowering. “It’s a very important first step,” she said. “Now I have a legal weapon in my hand, which nobody can say no to.”
The signing of the “Take It Down Act” marks a defining moment in America’s digital policy landscape, setting a new legal standard for how technology-fueled abuse is addressed nationwide.
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