TAKE IT DOWN Act (Pub. L. 119-12, S. 146)

Summary

The Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act (TAKE IT DOWN Act), S. 146, became Public Law 119-12 on May 19, 2025. It makes it a federal crime knowingly to publish non-consensual intimate images, including 'digital forgeries' created with software, machine learning or AI, with up to 2 years' imprisonment for offences involving adults and up to 3 years for offences involving minors. Covered platforms had one year from enactment to set up a notice-and-removal process and must remove a reported image within 48 hours of a valid request. A platform's failure to comply reasonably is treated as an unfair or deceptive practice enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.

Key dates

1. May 19, 2025Issued
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. May 19, 2025 – [S. 146]

   Supports: Enactment date and bill number

   means any intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual created through the use of software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or any other computer-generated or technological means

   Supports: Covers AI-generated imagery

   violates paragraph (2)(A) or (3)(A) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.

   Supports: Penalty, adults

   violates paragraph (2)(B) or (3)(B) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both.

   Supports: Penalty, minors

   than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a covered platform shall establish a process

   Supports: One-year platform compliance period

   a covered platform shall, as soon as possible, but not later than 48 hours after receiving such request

   Supports: 48-hour removal

   A failure to reasonably comply with the notice and takedown obligations under subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or a deceptive act or practice

   Supports: FTC enforcement

   Public Law 119-12 (TAKE IT DOWN Act), enrolled text U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo) Primary source