Why the Take It Down Act Matters
While many states have enacted laws against revenge porn or AI-generated intimate imagery, the Take It Down Act marks a rare instance of federal regulation targeting internet content. The urgency of such legislation has grown as deepfake technology has become increasingly accessible and realistic.
The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
The bill also received strong support from First Lady Melania Trump, who said it was “heartbreaking” to see what young people—particularly girls—go through when targeted by such content.
The legislation was partially inspired by the story of Elliston Berry, a 14-year-old whose mother contacted Sen. Cruz after Snapchat allegedly refused to take down a deepfake image of her daughter for nearly a year.
Big Tech Response: Meta and Industry Backing
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has backed the Take It Down Act.
