Intimate visual depiction
A covered authentic visual depiction involving an identifiable individual and the intimate content described by the statute.
About The TAKE IT DOWN Act
Legislative history, scope, definitions, and the relationship between this measure and existing federal law.
Purpose and legal framework
Public Law 119-12 originated as S.146 in the 119th Congress. Its full title is the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act.
The Act separates the conduct it regulates into two main frameworks: federal criminal prohibitions directed at specified publishers and threats, and an FTC-enforced notice-and-removal system directed at covered online platforms.
Current status
StatusFederal law
Signed into law May 19, 2025 · FTC platform enforcement began May 19, 2026
Key definitions
Digital forgery
A covered intimate visual depiction created or altered using digital technology that appears indistinguishable from an authentic depiction of an identifiable individual.
Consent
Affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization made free from force, fraud, duress, misrepresentation, or coercion, subject to the Act’s detailed provisions.
Covered platform
A qualifying website, online service, online application, or mobile application within Section 3’s definition, including services primarily providing a forum for user-generated content or regularly furnishing covered content.
Legislative history
- January 16, 2025S.146 is introduced in the Senate.
- February 13, 2025The Senate passes S.146.
- April 28, 2025The House passes the bill.
- May 19, 2025The Act is signed into law as Public Law 119-12.
- May 19, 2026The FTC begins enforcing the platform notice-and-removal requirements in Section 3.