TAKE IT DOWN Act
TAKE IT DOWN Act (deepfake and nonconsensual intimate imagery)
United States · Pub. L. No. 119-12 (S. 146)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- May 19, 2025
- Applies to
- Individuals who publish NCII; covered platforms (social media, messaging, image/video sharing, gaming services hosting user content)
- Enforced by
- Department of Justice (criminal provisions); Federal Trade Commission (platform obligations)
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.
Who is protected: Victims (adults and minors) of nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI deepfakes
Legal 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.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | May 19, 2025 |
| Citation | Pub. L. No. 119-12 (S. 146) |
| 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 |
| Agency page | Complying With the Take It Down Act | Federal Trade Commission |
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Related non-consensual intimate imagery rules elsewhere
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- Illinois HB 3851 — deepfake cyberbullying in schools (2026) · In effect
- NY S5959-D (2020, digital replicas + deepfake porn) · 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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