Duties and compliance
Covered platforms need an operational process that meets the statute’s notice, intake, timing, duplicate-removal, and enforcement requirements.
Core requirements
- Publish clear noticeProvide clear and conspicuous information explaining how an identifiable individual or authorized representative can submit a removal request.
- Accept the statutory elementsThe request process must accept a signature, information sufficient to identify and locate the depiction, a good-faith nonconsent statement, and contact information.
- Remove reported contentRemove a depiction covered by a valid request as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours after receiving the request.
- Address identical copiesMake reasonable efforts to identify and remove known identical copies within the same 48-hour period.
- Support non-account holdersThe FTC advises platforms that the request pathway must be accessible to people who do not have an account.
- Maintain reliable operationsHashing, contextual reporting controls, tracking identifiers, requester communications, and auditable internal records can support timely compliance, though the statute and current FTC guidance control.
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.
Use the controlling text
Coverage, exceptions, knowledge standards, definitions, remedies, and effective dates must be evaluated from the full statutory or legislative text. Agency guidance can explain requirements but does not replace the text.