WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean (D-PA), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), August Pfluger (R-TX), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Network (TAKE IT DOWN) Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill protects victims of real and deepfaked non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and prohibits bad actors from distributing naked photos of children with the intent to harass, abuse or degrade them, or for sexual gratification.
The internet is awash in NCII, in large part from new generative artificial intelligence (AI). We are also experiencing a terrifying rise in child sexual abuse material online. We must act now to defend victims, most of whom are women and girls.
“Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving—our government must meet this moment with urgency, especially when addressing the dangers of explicit deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) that often devastate girls and women,” Rep. Dean said. “We must defend victims—regardless of whether their attackers used deepfake technology or a simple camera—and ensure these images are removed from the Internet. I’m thankful to work with Congresswoman Salazar on this bipartisan legislation that will better protect victims and meaningfully regulate AI.”
“The alarming rise of deepfakes is threatening to destroy innocent individuals’ and families’ lives,” Rep. Salazar said. “Non-consensual deepfake imagery is a cancer that can no longer go untreated. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is the best way to hold online platforms accountable and protect victims of these horrendous crimes.”
The TAKE IT DOWN Act would protect and empower children and victims of real and deepfake NCII, while protecting lawful speech. Specifically, the bill:
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Bans the publication of NCII or the threat to publish NCII in interstate commerce;
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Prohibits the distribution of nude images of children with the intent to harass or degrade them, or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
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Permits certain good faith disclosures of NCII, including reports intended for law enforcement or medical treatment; and
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Requires websites to take down photos and videos within 48 hours of a victim’s report.
“There is an urgent need for Congress to act by putting protections in place for victims of exploitative deep fakes and levying consequences on those creating and facilitating this sickening practice,” Rep. Pfluger said. “As a father to three young girls, I am proud to join this bipartisan bicameral effort to prevent explicit material from circulating and harming innocent victims.”
“Federal policymakers and AI experts must continue to expose and address the dangers of explicit deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) that profoundly impact women and girls,” Rep. Plaskett said. “This bipartisan legislation is a necessary and pragmatic approach that protects victims, holds websites accountable, and protects lawful speech. I’m thankful for the opportunity to co-lead this timely bill and provide relief for these victims.”
“If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s the need to protect our vulnerable children and grandchildren,” Rep. Buchanan said. “While the rise in artificial intelligence (AI) brings countless potential benefits, I am deeply disturbed by the rise of so-called ‘revenge porn’ and explicit AI-generated images of young girls circulating on social media. I’m pleased to help introduce this legislation with Congresswoman Salazar and Congresswoman Dean and am hopeful Congress will pass this common sense legislation with broad bipartisan support.”
“I’m very concerned about the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create and circulate deep fake pornography, which threatens the mental and emotional health and financial security of its victims, primarily women. Perpetrators have used deep fake pornography as a tool to harass, humiliate, and intimidate women online, often in response to them speaking out or advocating for themselves,” Rep. Dingell said. “The TAKE IT DOWN Act provides a critical remedy for victims to ensure these images are removed and that perpetrators are held accountable. As new technology emerges, so too does the potential for new forms of abuse, and we must act swiftly to protect women from tech-facilitated abuse.”
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ted Budd (R-NC), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Todd Young (R-IN), Joe Manchin (I-WV), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Thune (R-SD), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the Senate companion bill.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act is supported by over three dozen organizations: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); TechNet; National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE); Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN); SAG-AFTRA; Public Citizen; IBM; Center for American Progress; American Psychological Association; American College of Pediatricians; National Association of Chiefs of Police; National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO); National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); Major League Baseball (MLB); U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC); Becca Schmill Foundation; David’s Legacy Foundation; S.E.A.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, & Exploitation); National Decency Coalition; SWGfL (StopNCII.org); Talk More. Tech Less; National Organization for Women (NOW); Reclaim Coalition; Joyful Heart Foundation; Institute for Strategic Dialogue; Family Policy Alliance; Hope for Justice; Thistle Farms; Citizens for Decency; Stop Sexual Assault in Schools (SSAIS); 3Strands Global Foundation; Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking; Street Grace; Enough Abuse; P@rn Free Colorado; National Children’s Alliance; Institute for Family Studies; American Principles Project; National Association of Counties (NACo); Bull Moose Project; HSA Coalition; Parents Television and Media Council; Enough is Enough; Match Group; The Danbury Institute; Digital First Project; National Consumers League (NCL); National Alliance to End Sexual Violence; and Bumble.
To read the full text of the legislation, click here.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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