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New federal law criminalizes nonconsensual explicit images and deepfakes

Signed into lawS. 146Latest action

Sponsor: Ted Cruz · Senator · TX

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: TAKE IT DOWN Act

119th Congress

Topics: AI & technology

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act criminalizes nonconsensual intimate images and deepfakes and requires platforms to remove them within 48 hours.

45-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

The TAKE IT DOWN Act makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish nonconsensual intimate or sexually explicit images, including AI-generated deepfakes, of real people. It sets penalties of up to 2 years in prison for offenses involving adults and up to 3 years for those involving minors, with exceptions for law enforcement, legal, medical, educational purposes, and self-shared images. It also requires platforms hosting user content to let victims request removal, with content taken down within 48 hours.

Who does it affect?

The law affects internet users who could be victims of nonconsensual explicit images or deepfakes, and social media companies, websites, and apps hosting user-generated content, which now face FTC enforcement if they fail to comply.

Why does it matter?

Platforms must build takedown systems and respond to requests quickly or risk FTC enforcement action, while individuals gain a criminal and civil pathway against distributors of such content.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

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No call to make

This is law.

Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJan 16, 2025
  2. Senate committee
  3. Senate vote
  4. House
  5. The president's desk

Right now: the president signed it. It's law.Now law

Latest action: — Became Public Law No: 119-12.

Data as of October 10, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 104

    As recorded

    Question
    On Motion to and Pass
    Result:
    Passed
    409
    Nay
    2
    0
    22

    Republicans 207 yes, 2 no, 11 not voting · Democrats 202 yes, 11 not voting

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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