House Passes ‘Take It Down’ Act Criminalizing Deep Fake Revenge Photos
The Take It Down Act, legislation aimed at criminalizing the online publication of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes, passed the House on Monday in a decisive 409–2 vote and now moves to President Trump for signature. Twenty-two members did not vote, while Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) cast the only opposing votes.
The bill would make it a federal crime to intentionally post realistic, computer-generated pornographic images or videos that depict identifiable real individuals without their consent. Social media platforms and other online sites would be required to remove such content promptly, protecting victims from repeated exposure and harassment.
Trump has expressed support for the measure, signaling last month that he plans to sign it into law. “The Senate just passed the Take It Down Act. Once it passes the House, I look forward to signing that bill into law,” he stated. First Lady Melania Trump also endorsed the bill, emphasizing its role in safeguarding privacy and online safety for children.
Sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) in the Senate, and by Representatives Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) and Madeline Dean (D-Pennsylvania) in the House, the Take It Down Act marks a significant bipartisan step forward in protecting victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse. Cruz called its passage a “historic win” for victims, highlighting the importance of swift content removal and accountability for perpetrators.