What's going on: A law that requires social media companies to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery and videos — including AI-generated deepfake nudes — is now in effect. The Take It Down Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last May, was co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and gained bipartisan support. Many states already criminalize sharing nonconsensual imagery, but this legislation goes further: After images or videos are reported to the tech platform, the material has to be removed within 48 hours or the company faces fines of over $50K per violation.
So this is good, right?: Depends on who you ask. Some celebrate the law as a way to protect women and girls, as well as enable survivors to take back control. Klobuchar said that it means that tech companies “can no longer turn a blind eye to these horrifying abuses on social media,” and RAINN called it “a historic win.” But others think it could have dangerous consequences. For example, free speech activists say that the penalties could encourage tech companies to over-moderate by removing consensual adult imagery, sexual health education, and LGBTQIA+ content. Others worry that the Trump administration could use the law to target political enemies — something Trump himself has hinted at. During a 2025 address to Congress, the president said: “I'm going to use that bill for myself. Nobody gets treated worse than I do online.”
