Trending Now - New Law Mandates Quick Removal of Nonconsensual Images Online
WHO:
CNN - President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law.
CNN - Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota co-wrote the bill with Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
CNN - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will enforce the law.
CNN - Major online platforms include Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Bumble, Match Group, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft.
WHAT:
CNN - The Take It Down Act is the first federal law to take action against nonconsensual intimate imagery, including artificially generated images or video.
CNN - The FTC sent letters to major online platforms warning them about compliance with the Take It Down Act.
CNN - The law allows individuals to report nonconsensual intimate imagery directly from where it is posted on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
CNN - Walmart has added an option for users to report intimate imagery uploaded on its platform.
Techmeme - The Take It Down Act requires social networks to remove nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of reporting or face fines.
CNN - Online platforms could face civil penalties of $53,088 per violation if they fail to comply with the law.
CNN - The law criminalizes the sharing of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions, including artificially generated images.
CNN - Individuals who post non-consensual intimate imagery can face fines and up to two years in prison.
WHERE:
CNN - The law applies to online platforms that provide a forum for user-generated content or publish intimate content shared without consent.
WHEN:
Techmeme - The Take It Down Act took effect on May 19.
CNN - The one-year deadline for online platforms to create a removal process expired on the same date.
WHY:
CNN - The law aims to address the issue of nonconsensual intimate imagery and provide victims with tools to reclaim their privacy and dignity.
CNN - Sen. Cruz stated that as AI advances, technology needs to be used responsibly to prevent abuse, harassment, or exploitation.
HOW:
CNN - The organization Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery offers support and the option to submit intimate images for removal if they violate the Take It Down Act.
CNN - Platforms must provide clear instructions for users to submit removal requests and are responsible for finding and removing duplicates of reported images within the 48-hour window.
CNN - The FTC launched TakeItDown.ftc.gov to report platforms that fail to remove intimate imagery or make reporting difficult.
(UPDATED May 20, 2026 06:20 UTC)
The Take It Down Act has officially become the first federal law aimed at addressing nonconsensual intimate imagery, including those that are artificially generated. In response, the FTC has reached out to major online platforms, urging them to ensure compliance with this new legislation, which allows individuals to report such imagery directly on sites like Instagram and TikTok. Additionally, Walmart has introduced a feature for users to report intimate imagery on its platform, while the organization Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery is providing support and a process for submitting images for removal if they violate the Act.
--
(UPDATED May 20, 2026 04:21 UTC)
President Trump has signed the Take It Down Act into law, which mandates that social networks remove nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of reporting or face significant fines. Co-authored by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican Senator Ted Cruz, the law aims to protect victims by criminalizing the sharing of such imagery and imposing civil penalties of over fifty-three thousand dollars per violation. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these regulations, requiring online platforms to provide clear instructions for removal requests and to act swiftly in addressing reported content.