A bipartisan group of senators have introduced the "Take It Down Act" to criminalize the publication of revenge porn, including deepfakes.
Additionally, the bill requires websites to remove these kinds of explicit videos and photos within 48 hours of being notified by the victim.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, are leading the bill.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a statement celebrating the legislation.
Michelle DeLaune, President & CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, said in a statement:The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) applauds Senator Cruz and Senator Klobuchar for their leadership in introducing the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This essential legislation will protect children victimized by the distribution of deepfake nude and sexually exploitative images in which they are depicted. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence technology that can be used to create nude and sexually exploitative images of children is a devastating trend. It is essential that our laws continue to address emerging threats to child safety online. The TAKE IT DOWN Act will provide a crucial legal remedy for many children in which deepfake technology is used to perpetuate their online abuse."
We look forward to working with Senators Cruz and Klobuchar on the TAKE IT DOWN Act, and we deeply appreciate all Congressional supporters of the TAKE IT DOWN Act who are working to prioritize child safety online.
A number of other organizations, including SAG-AFTRA, the National Organization for Women, and IBM, have also endorsed the bill.
“Thank you Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Ted Cruz for recognizing the urgent need for protections and solutions to the proliferation of deepfake material online that harms so many individuals, including SAG-AFTRA members. As humanity enters this new era where A.I. technology has the potential to be increasingly exploitative, regulations must keep pace with innovation, and we applaud the lawmakers who are taking the lead in these efforts,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator at SAG-AFTRA.
The bill is also being sponsored by Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N. Mex.).
