A groundbreaking federal law is set to provide critical protections for individuals targeted by non-consensual explicit deepfakes, marking a significant victory for digital privacy and personal safety.

The Take It Down Act, signed into law with overwhelming bipartisan support, will make it illegal to share explicit AI-generated images without consent. This legislation comes after numerous high-profile cases involving public figures and teenagers who have been victims of digital harassment.

Under the new law, tech platforms will be required to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of being notified. Previously, protections varied by state, leaving many victims without legal recourse. The law represents one of the first comprehensive federal attempts to address potential harms from AI-generated content.

Elliston Berry, a teenager who was personally affected by deepfake harassment, has been a vocal advocate for the legislation. “Everyday I’ve had to live with the fear of these photos getting brought up or resurfacing,” Berry shared. “By this bill getting passed, I will no longer have to live in fear”.

The legislation has garnered support from over 100 organizations, including major tech companies like Meta, TikTok, and Google. This rare moment of consensus highlights the urgent need to protect individuals from digital exploitation.

Advocacy groups like Public Citizen emphasize that the law sends a critical societal message. “If our federal law is passing a law that says this is unacceptable and here are the consequences, that sends a clear signal,” said Ilana Beller from Public Citizen.

While the law isn’t a complete solution, it represents a significant step toward holding bad actors accountable and providing victims with meaningful legal protections in an increasingly complex digital landscape.