Congress Passes Landmark Legislation Against ‘Deep Fake’ Pornography
The U.S. Congress has passed the ‘Take It Down Act’, a bipartisan bill criminalizing the creation and distribution of ‘deep fake’ pornography at the federal level. The legislation, now heading to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature, aims to address the growing issue of non-consensual intimate imagery created using artificial intelligence.
The bill has garnered strong bipartisan support following testimony from teenagers who have fallen victim to deep fake AI-generated pornography. One such victim, 15-year-old Elliston Berry, shared her experience of having a digitally altered image created from a photo she posted on Instagram. The manipulated image was then circulated on Snapchat without her consent.
“I felt responsible and began to blame myself and was ashamed to tell my parents despite doing nothing wrong,” Berry said, highlighting the emotional toll of such incidents. The bill’s passage comes after cases like Berry’s came to light, revealing the dark side of AI technology exploitation.
Key Provisions of the ‘Take It Down Act’
The legislation makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish non-consensual intimate images, including realistic, computer-generated pornography. It also mandates that platforms remove explicit images within 48 hours of receiving a valid request.
Another victim, Breeze Liu, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The shame. The violation. The loss of control. It all consumes you. We have the legislation to create accountability. Now, we need the will to act.”
The bill addresses a growing concern that law enforcement has been grappling with. Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco noted the challenge of keeping up with criminals who exploit AI technology, citing a recent case where a 67-year-old teacher was accused of creating AI-generated erotic content using student yearbook photos.
While this marks the first federal legislation on the matter, 10 states, including Florida, already have similar laws in place. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Congress and the First Lady for their efforts in championing the bill, calling it “essential for addressing the growing concerns related to online safety.”
The passage of the ‘Take It Down Act’ represents a significant step in the fight against AI-generated deep fake pornography, balancing the need to protect victims with the challenges of regulating rapidly evolving technology.
