This week marks a major milestone in the fight to protect children and families from online exploitation. President Donald J. Trump has officially signed the TAKE IT DOWN Act into law—a groundbreaking, bipartisan measure originally introduced by Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Senator Ted Cruz (TX).
This law directly targets one of the darkest corners of the internet: the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes. For the first time, federal law will provide real, enforceable protections for victims—many of them women, girls, and minors—whose lives have been shattered by this growing digital abuse.
“This is a historic moment,” said Rep. Salazar. “Victims now have a voice, parents have a tool, and predators will face real consequences. I thank President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for championing this cause and standing with victims every step of the way.”
The TAKE IT DOWN Act was passed with strong bipartisan support and endorsed by over 120 organizations, including major tech companies like Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok, X, and Amazon. The law:
- Criminalizes the sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent;
- Requires websites to take down harmful content within 48 hours of notification;
- Protects victims while respecting First Amendment rights;
- Sets standards for identifying and removing AI-generated deepfakes.
This achievement adds to Rep. Salazar’s growing record of legislative success. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is the ninth bill she has helped enact into law—ranging from Holocaust remembrance and environmental conservation to small business reform and sanctions against authoritarian regimes.
In an era where technology often outpaces the law, the TAKE IT DOWN Act proves that Congress can come together to protect the most vulnerable. It sends a clear message: online exploitation will no longer be ignored—and justice will be served.
