Trump Bans Nonconsensual Deepfakes Under ‘Take It Down Act’

President Donald Trump has signed into law a major new measure that takes direct aim at the growing crisis of nonconsensual imagery online, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes.

During the White House signing ceremony, President Donald Trump underscored the urgent need for stronger protections against digital exploitation. He highlighted the growing danger posed by both real and AI-generated intimate content shared without consent, particularly targeting women and minors.

“This will be the first-ever federal law to combat the distribution of explicit imagery posted without subjects’ consent,” Trump said. “We will not tolerate online sexual exploitation.”

The Take It Down Act, which takes effect immediately, is one of the strongest federal efforts yet to protect people, particularly women and minors from having intimate images shared online without their consent.

What the Law Actually Does

At its core, the Take It Down Act makes it a federal crime to share or even threaten to share explicit content of someone without their permission, whether that content is real or artificially created.

The law also requires tech platforms to act fast when flagged: they now have just 48 hours to remove offending content once it’s reported. On top of that, they’re expected to prevent the same images or videos from being reuploaded.

The law includes real consequences. If someone’s found guilty, especially in cases involving minors , they could face up to three years behind bars and steep financial penalties.

Melania Trump Steps In

First Lady Melania Trump became a prominent voice in support of the bill, linking it to her “Be Best” initiative, which focuses on the safety and well-being of children in the digital world.

Melania Trump spoke passionately about the emotional damage caused by these violations, particularly when the lines between real and fake have been blurred by artificial intelligence.

Until now, victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse have had very few tools to fight back. While some states have passed their own laws, there’s never been a unified national standard.

The Take It Down Act fills that gap and sends a strong message that online exploitation will no longer be ignored.

It also brings new accountability to tech companies. Platforms like social media networks and content-hosting sites now carry legal responsibility for how they handle these violations. The Federal Trade Commission will be watching to ensure they follow through.

Not Everyone’s Applauding

While the law has been widely praised by victim advocacy groups, it’s also stirred up criticism from digital rights organizations. Some argue the legislation might go too far or at least, that its wording is too vague.

Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn that platforms might overreact to avoid legal trouble, leading to unnecessary censorship or the silencing of legitimate content.

The concern is that, in trying to avoid penalties, companies will take down anything that seems even remotely controversial.

The Deepfake Dilemma

What’s especially alarming and why the law feels so urgent, is how quickly deepfake technology is evolving.

With just a few tools and some online photos, people can now create disturbingly realistic fake videos that look and sound like real individuals. In many cases, these clips have been used to humiliate, extort, or damage reputations and often with little recourse for the victims.

By acknowledging that both real and AI-generated material can be weaponized, this law is stepping into territory lawmakers have largely avoided until now.

The law is already in force, and platforms have one year to get their compliance systems in place. The FTC will oversee enforcement and ensure the rules are followed, especially when it comes to content takedowns and repeat offenses.

The Take It Down Act was introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, received strong bipartisan support, and is now federal law.

Senator Amy Klobuchar voiced strong support for the bipartisan Take It Down Act, underscoring its importance in safeguarding individuals from online exploitation.

In an official statement, she emphasized the law’s role in protecting victims and establishing clear accountability in the digital age.

“Passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act into law is a major victory for victims of online abuse, giving people legal protections and tools for when their intimate images, including deepfakes, are shared without their consent, and enabling law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.

This is also a landmark move towards establishing common-sense rules of the road around social media and AI.”