House Approves Historic Deepfake Legislation with a 409–2 Vote
In an unusual display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 409–2 to approve the Take It Down Act, a comprehensive bill that makes the creation and distribution of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake material a criminal offense. This legislation, co-sponsored by members from both political parties, is now on its way to President Trump, who is anticipated to sign it into law.
The bill aims to combat a rising digital menace by instituting criminal penalties, mandating platform takedown actions, providing civil remedies, and offering protections for minors. It seeks to fill a legal void in current “revenge porn” statutes, which seldom encompass AI-generated forgeries.
Supported by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, along with Representatives Elvira Salazar and Madeline Dean, the act strikes a balance between essential privacy protections and First Amendment rights. Its enactment signifies a significant advancement in the United States’ initiatives to regulate AI-related misconduct and uphold digital dignity.