TAKE IT DOWN Act

Bill: 119-s-146
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Digital media
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Internet, web applications, social media
Pornography
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act or the TAKE IT DOWN Act

This bill generally prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated, and requires certain online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence. 

Specifically, the bill 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 under the bill 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 bill, 
covered platforms
 are defined as public websites, online services, or applications that primarily provide a forum for user-generated content.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-05-19
text: Became Public Law No: 119-12.
action_date: 2025-05-19
text: Became Public Law No: 119-12.
action_date: 2025-05-19
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2025-05-19
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2025-05-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2025-05-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 2 (Roll no. 104). (text: CR H1644-1645: 1)
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 2 (Roll no. 104). (text: CR H1644-1645: 1)
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1669: 1)
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 146.
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1644-1643: 1)
action_date: 2025-04-28
text: Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S988; text: CR S988-990)
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-02-13
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 119-12