Congress Passes Bipartisan "Take It Down Act" to Combat Revenge Porn
By BARBARA ORTUTAY, Associated Press
In a significant move, Congress has overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan "Take It Down Act," aimed at imposing stricter penalties for the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery, commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), is now set for President Donald Trump’s signature.
The bill criminalizes the non-consensual publication of intimate images, including AI-generated content, and mandates that websites remove such materials within 48 hours of notification from victims. While the measure has garnered strong bipartisan support, critics argue that its broad language could lead to censorship, potentially impacting legitimate content.
First Lady Melania Trump has been a vocal supporter, emphasizing the emotional distress faced by young victims. However, digital rights advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation caution that the bill’s takedown provisions may infringe on free speech and fail to protect against frivolous claims.
Proponents assert the necessity of protecting victims in an era where deepfakes exacerbate the issue, with platforms like Meta expressing support for the act. With its passage, advocates hope victims of non-consensual imagery will find increased legal recourse.
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