TAKE IT DOWN Act
In force United States (Federal) · In force May 19, 2025 · no upcoming deadlines
Deadlines
| Date | What happens | When |
|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2025 | Criminal provisions effective on enactment16 months ago | 16 months ago |
| May 19, 2026 | Platform notice-and-removal process required4 months ago | 4 months ago |
Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.
What it does
Criminalizes knowingly publishing non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated 'digital forgeries', and threats to do so. Covered platforms must set up a notice-and-removal process and remove reported content, plus known identical copies, within 48 hours of a valid request.
- Who it applies to
- Covered platforms: public-facing websites, online services and apps that primarily host user-generated content, or regularly publish or host non-consensual intimate imagery. Excludes broadband providers and email, among others. Criminal provisions apply to any person.
- Penalties
- Platform failures to comply with notice-and-removal are treated as FTC rule violations: civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation (FTC Act 5(m)(1)(A) amount as adjusted January 2025, 90 FR 5580; adjusted annually for inflation). Individuals: fines and up to 2 years' imprisonment (adults depicted) or 3 years (minors depicted); threats carry lesser terms.
- Enforced by
- Federal Trade Commission (platform obligations, including over non-profits); DOJ (criminal provisions)
- Official name
- Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act (TAKE IT DOWN Act)
- Citation
- Pub. L. 119-12 (S. 146)
- Topics
- online-safety, ai, children, privacy
Verified 2026-09-22 govinfo.gov
Research notes
Platforms get a good-faith safe harbor for removals. FTC penalty figure is the January 2025 adjustment.
Related
CIRCIAQuestions about TAKE IT DOWN Act
- What are the TAKE IT DOWN Act compliance deadlines?
- May 19, 2025: Criminal provisions effective on enactment. May 19, 2026: Platform notice-and-removal process required.
- When does TAKE IT DOWN Act take effect?
- TAKE IT DOWN Act took effect on May 19, 2025.
- Who does TAKE IT DOWN Act apply to?
- Covered platforms: public-facing websites, online services and apps that primarily host user-generated content, or regularly publish or host non-consensual intimate imagery. Excludes broadband providers and email, among others. Criminal provisions apply to any person.
- What are the penalties under TAKE IT DOWN Act?
- Platform failures to comply with notice-and-removal are treated as FTC rule violations: civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation (FTC Act 5(m)(1)(A) amount as adjusted January 2025, 90 FR 5580; adjusted annually for inflation). Individuals: fines and up to 2 years' imprisonment (adults depicted) or 3 years (minors depicted); threats carry lesser terms.