TAKE IT DOWN Act
Latest action (19 May 2025): Became Public Law No: 119-12.
What this bill does
The TAKE IT DOWN Act creates a new federal crime for knowingly publishing nonconsensual intimate images of real people, including AI-generated "digital forgeries" that realistically depict an identifiable person. Violations involving adults carry penalties of up to two years in prison; violations involving minors, up to three years. Related threats to publish such material are also criminalized, with somewhat lower penalties for threats involving digital forgeries. Courts must order forfeiture of related materials and property and require restitution for victims. The law includes exceptions for law enforcement, legal proceedings, medical/educational uses, self-depictions, and good-faith reporting or assistance to victims.
The bill also requires "covered platforms" — websites, apps, or services that host user-generated content or that regularly handle nonconsensual intimate images — to set up a notice-and-takedown process. Platforms must let individuals request removal of such content and must take it down, along with known copies, within 48 hours of a valid request. Platforms acting in good faith to remove such content are shielded from liability. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these platform obligations, treating noncompliance as an unfair or deceptive practice, with authority extending even to nonprofit organizations.
This primarily affects individuals depicted without consent in intimate images or AI-generated forgeries, people who create or threaten to distribute such content, and online platforms hosting user content. S. 146 was introduced in January 2025, passed Congress, and was signed into law by the President on May 19, 2025; platforms have one year from enactment to establish the required removal process.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act or the TAKE IT DOWN Act
This act generally prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated, and requires certain online platforms (e.g., social media platforms) to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence.
Specifically, the act prohibits the online publication of intimate visual depictions of
• an adult subject where publication is intended to cause or does cause harm to the subject, and where the depiction was published without the subject’s consent or, in the case of an authentic depiction, was created or obtained under circumstances where the adult had a reasonable expectation of privacy; or
• a minor subject where publication is intended to abuse or harass the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both. Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited and subject to criminal penalties.
Separately, covered platforms must establish a process through which subjects of intimate visual depictions may notify the platform of the existence of, and request removal of, an intimate visual depiction including the subject that was published without the subject’s consent. Covered platforms must remove such depictions within 48 hours of notification. Under the act, covered platforms are defined as public websites, online services, or applications that primarily provide a forum for user-generated content.
Timeline
19 May 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-12.
Common questions
- What does S. 146 do?
- The TAKE IT DOWN Act creates a new federal crime for knowingly publishing nonconsensual intimate images of real people, including AI-generated "digital forgeries" that realistically depict an identifiable person. Violations involving adults carry penalties of up to two years in prison; violations involving minors, up to three years. Related threats to publish such material are also criminalized, with somewhat lower penalties for threats involving digital forgeries. Courts must order forfeiture of related materials and property and require restitution for victims. The law includes exceptions for law enforcement, legal proceedings, medical/educational uses, self-depictions, and good-faith reporting or assistance to victims. The bill also requires "covered platforms" — websites, apps, or services that host user-generated content or that regularly handle nonconsensual intimate images — to set up a notice-and-takedown process. Platforms must let individuals request removal of such content and must take it down, along with known copies, within 48 hours of a valid request. Platforms acting in good faith to remove such content are shielded from liability. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these platform obligations, treating noncompliance as an unfair or deceptive practice, with authority extending even to nonprofit organizations. This primarily affects individuals depicted without consent in intimate images or AI-generated forgeries, people who create or threaten to distribute such content, and online platforms hosting user content. S. 146 was introduced in January 2025, passed Congress, and was signed into law by the President on May 19, 2025; platforms have one year from enactment to establish the required removal process.
- Has S. 146 become law?
- Yes. S. 146 has been enacted. Status last updated 19 May 2025.
- Who sponsored S. 146?
- S. 146 was sponsored by Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX), with 21 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 146?
- Became Public Law No: 119-12. (19 May 2025).
Related bills in Science, Technology, Communications
Disaster Communications Coordination and Preparedness Act
Mystic Alerts Act
Bots Research Act
Expressing support for the designation of October 5, 2026, as the "National Beyond the Milky Way Day" and celebrating a transformative achievement in American science.
More bills from Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026
Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026
Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act of 2026
Right to Worship Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.