Maria Cantwell - Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Maria Cantwell - Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation | Official U.S. Senate headshot
In Washington, D.C., a bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the TAKE IT DOWN Act, aiming to combat the malicious use of artificial intelligence in creating non-consensual, sexually exploitative images. The bill, spearheaded by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), seeks to criminalize the publication of such images and mandates their removal from platforms within 48 hours upon notification.
The legislation previously passed both the Commerce Committee and the full Senate unanimously. For the current 119th Congress, Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) have introduced companion legislation. The bill has garnered support from over 100 organizations, including victim advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies, and leaders in the tech industry.
Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of protecting victims from exploitative technologies: “There’s too many predators out there who are abusing new technologies like generative artificial intelligence to spread fake and exploitative sexual images online, particularly against young girls and teenagers. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a common-sense solution that empowers victims of this heinous crime.”
Senator Klobuchar added: “We must provide victims of online abuse with the legal protections they need when intimate images are shared without their consent, especially now that deepfakes are creating horrifying new opportunities for abuse.”
Representative Salazar highlighted the urgency of addressing deepfake threats: “The alarming rise of deepfakes is threatening to destroy innocent individuals’ and families’ lives.” She expressed pride in her collaboration with Senator Cruz on this issue.
Representative Dean stressed safeguarding survivors: “As AI becomes more ubiquitous in our lives, it is essential that we safeguard survivors of explicit deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) that often devastate girls and women.”
The TAKE IT DOWN Act has been co-sponsored by several senators across party lines. It has also received backing from major tech companies such as Snap, Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, Bumble, Match Group, along with various advocacy groups including RAINN.
The bill aims to protect victims by criminalizing NCII publication in interstate commerce while ensuring platforms remove such content promptly upon request. It seeks to balance protection for victims with respect for lawful speech under First Amendment guidelines.
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