TAKE IT DOWN Act (deepfake and nonconsensual intimate imagery)
United States · Pub. L. No. 119-12 (S. 146)
Makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish intimate images of someone without consent, including AI-generated deepfakes. Social media and similar platforms must give victims a way to request removal and must take the content (and known copies) down within 48 hours. The platform removal requirement became enforceable May 19, 2026, and the FTC has already begun enforcement.
Technical detail
Pub. L. No. 119-12 (S. 146, 119th Cong.) criminalizes knowing publication of nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated 'digital forgeries'; covered platforms must provide a notice-and-removal process and remove NCII and known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request, enforceable by the FTC as of May 19, 2026.
Who is protected: Victims (adults and minors) of nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI deepfakes
Who must comply: Individuals who publish NCII; covered platforms (social media, messaging, image/video sharing, gaming services hosting user content)
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Stronger protection |
| Effective date | 2025-05-19 |
| Enacted | 2025-05-19 |
| Citation | Pub. L. No. 119-12 (S. 146) |
| Enforced by | Department of Justice (criminal provisions); Federal Trade Commission (platform obligations) |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Criminal fines and imprisonment for publication offenses; FTC civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation for platform noncompliance |
| Topics | non-consensual intimate imagery · deepfakes · AI-generated images · consumer protection · children's online safety · consumer data privacy |
| Last verified | 2026-06-10 |
| Official source | Complying With the Take It Down Act | Federal Trade Commission ↗ |
More AI rules in United States
- Trump AI Innovation & Security EO (June 2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for lo · Blocked / in litigation
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- NAIC AI Evaluation Tool Pilot (12 states, 2026) · Proposed / pending
- FTC Proposed Policy Statement — AI Accuracy (July 2026) · Proposed / pending
Related non-consensual intimate imagery rules elsewhere
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- NY S5959-D (2020, digital replicas + deepfake porn) · In effect
- VA HB 2678 (2019, first deepfake-NCII criminal law) · In effect
- Missouri Deepfake & Digital Media Protection Act · Proposed / pending
- Missouri Taylor Swift Act (SB 1117) · Expired
- Alaska AI-CSAM and Deepfake Criminalization Act · Expired
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