Who is protected
Identifiable people depicted in covered intimate visual depictions or digital forgeries published without consent.
Report a platform that did not comply
First submit a valid removal request through the platform’s published process. If a covered platform does not provide a process or fails to act as required, the Federal Trade Commission accepts reports through its dedicated portal.
What this law does
The law addresses both authentic intimate images shared without consent and realistic digital forgeries created or altered with software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or other technology.
Section 2 establishes federal criminal prohibitions for specified knowing publication and threats involving covered intimate depictions. The elements, intent requirements, exceptions, penalties, forfeiture provisions, and available restitution depend on the statutory text.
Section 3 requires covered platforms to publish a clear notice-and-removal process. After receiving a valid request, a platform must remove the identified depiction and make reasonable efforts to identify and remove known identical copies as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours.
Key dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2025 | S.146 is introduced in the Senate. |
| February 13, 2025 | The Senate passes S.146. |
| April 28, 2025 | The House passes the bill. |
| May 19, 2025 | The Act is signed into law as Public Law 119-12. |
| May 19, 2026 | The FTC begins enforcing the platform notice-and-removal requirements in Section 3. |
In brief
What victims can request
Removal of reported content and reasonable efforts to remove known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request.
Who must comply
Covered websites, apps, and online services within the statute’s platform definition, including many services built around user-generated content.
Current federal law: The TAKE IT DOWN Act prohibits specified nonconsensual publication of intimate visual depictions, including digital forgeries, and requires covered platforms to remove reported content and known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request.
Federal criminal and FTC enforcement
The Department of Justice may prosecute conduct meeting Section 2’s criminal elements. A violation of the Section 3 platform requirements is treated as a violation of an FTC rule, allowing the Commission to seek civil penalties and other relief under the Federal Trade Commission Act.