Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes On Websites and Networks Act or the TAKE IT DOWN Act
This bill generally prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated, and requires certain online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the online publication of intimate visual depictions of
Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both. Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited under the bill and subject to criminal penalties.
Separately, covered platforms must establish a process through which subjects of intimate visual depictions may notify the platform of the existence of, and request removal of, an intimate visual depiction including the subject that was published without the subject’s consent. Covered platforms must remove such depictions within 48 hours of notification. Under the bill, covered platforms are defined as public websites, online services, or applications that primarily provide a forum for user-generated content.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 633 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 633
To require covered platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate visual
depictions, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2025
Ms. Salazar (for herself, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Pfluger, Mrs.
Dingell, Mr. Buchanan, and Ms. Plaskett) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require covered platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate visual
depictions, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Tools to Address Known Exploitation
by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes On Websites and Networks Act''
or the ``TAKE IT DOWN Act''.
SEC. 2. CRIMINAL PROHIBITION ON INTENTIONAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCONSENSUAL
INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 223) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Intentional Disclosure of Nonconsensual Intimate Visual
Depictions.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Consent.--The term `consent' means an
affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization
made by an individual free from force, fraud, duress,
misrepresentation, or coercion.
``(B) Digital forgery.--The term `digital forgery'
means any intimate visual depiction of an identifiable
individual created through the use of software, machine
learning, artificial intelligence, or any other
computer-generated or technological means, including by
adapting, modifying, manipulating, or altering an
authentic visual depiction, that, when viewed as a
whole by a reasonable person, is indistinguishable from
an authentic visual depiction of the individual.
``(C) Identifiable individual.--The term
`identifiable individual' means an individual--
``(i) who appears in whole or in part in an
intimate visual depiction; and
``(ii) whose face, likeness, or other
distinguishing characteristic (including a
unique birthmark or other recognizable feature)
is displayed in connection with such intimate
visual depiction.
``(D) Interactive computer service.--The term
`interactive computer service' has the meaning given
the term in section 230.
``(E) Intimate visual depiction.--The term
`intimate visual depiction' has the meaning given such
term in section 1309 of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2022 (15 U.S.C. 6851).
``(F) Minor.--The term `minor' means any individual
under the age of 18 years.
``(2) Offense involving authentic intimate visual
depictions.--
``(A) Involving adults.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person,
in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an
interactive computer service to knowingly publish an
intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual
who is not a minor if--
``(i) the intimate visual depiction was
obtained or created under circumstances in
which the person knew or reasonably should have
known the identifiable individual had a
reasonable expectation of privacy;
``(ii) what is depicted was not voluntarily
exposed by the identifiable individual in a
public or commercial setting;
``(iii) what is depicted is not a matter of
public concern; and
``(iv) publication of the intimate visual
depiction--
``(I) is intended to cause harm; or
``(II) causes harm, including
psychological, financial, or
reputational harm, to the identifiable
individual.
``(B) Involving minors.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person,
in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an
interactive computer service to knowingly publish an
intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual
who is a minor with intent to--
``(i) abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade
the minor; or
``(ii) arouse or gratify the sexual desire
of any person.
``(C) Exceptions.--Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall
not apply to--
``(i) a lawfully authorized investigative,
protective, or intelligence activity of--
``(I) a law enforcement agency of
the United States, a State, or a
political subdivision of a State; or
``(II) an intelligence agency of
the United States;
``(ii) a disclosure made reasonably and in
good faith--
``(I) to a law enforcement officer
or agency;
``(II) as part of a document
production or filing associated with a
legal proceeding;
``(III) as part of medical
education, diagnosis, or treatment or
for a legitimate medical, scientific,
or education purpose;
``(IV) in the reporting of unlawful
content or unsolicited or unwelcome
conduct or in pursuance of a legal,
professional, or other lawful
obligation; or
``(V) to seek support or help with
respect to the receipt of an
unsolicited intimate visual depiction;
``(iii) a disclosure reasonably intended to
assist the identifiable individual;
``(iv) a person who possesses or publishes
an intimate visual depiction of himself or
herself engaged in nudity or sexually explicit
conduct (as that term is defined in section
2256(2)(A) of title 18, United States Code); or
``(v) the publication of an intimate visual
depiction that constitutes--
``(I) child pornography (as that
term is defined in section 2256 of
title 18, United States Code); or
``(II) a visual depiction described
in subsection (a) or (b) of section
1466A of title 18, United States Code
(relating to obscene visual
representations of the sexual abuse of
children).
``(3) Offense involving digital forgeries.--
``(A) Involving adults.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person,
in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an
interactive computer service to knowingly publish a
digital forgery of an identifiable individual who is
not a minor if--
``(i) the digital forgery was published
without the consent of the identifiable
individual;
``(ii) what is depicted was not voluntarily
exposed by the identifiable individual in a
public or commercial setting;
``(iii) what is depicted is not a matter of
public concern; and
``(iv) publication of the digital forgery--
``(I) is intended to cause harm; or
``(II) causes harm, including
psychological, financial, or
reputational harm, to the identifiable
individual.
``(B) Involving minors.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person,
in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an
interactive computer service to knowingly publish a
digital forgery of an identifiable individual who is a
minor with intent to--
``(i) abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade
the minor; or
``(ii) arouse or gratify the sexual desire
of any person.
``(C) Exceptions.--Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall
not apply to--
``(i) a lawfully authorized investigative,
protective, or intelligence activity of--
``(I) a law enforcement agency of
the United States, a State, or a
political subdivision of a State; or
``(II) an intelligence agency of
the United States;
``(ii) a disclosure made reasonably and in
good faith--
``(I) to a law enforcement officer
or agency;
``(II) as part of a document
production or filing associated with a
legal proceeding;
``(III) as part of medical
education, diagnosis, or treatment or
for a legitimate medical, scientific,
or education purpose;
``(IV) in the reporting of unlawful
content or unsolicited or unwelcome
conduct or in pursuance of a legal,
professional, or other lawful
obligation; or
``(V) to seek support or help with
respect to the receipt of an
unsolicited intimate visual depiction;
``(iii) a disclosure reasonably intended to
assist the identifiable individual;
``(iv) a person who possesses or publishes
a digital forgery of himself or herself engaged
in nudity or sexually explicit conduct (as that
term is defined in section 2256(2)(A) of title
18, United States Code); or
``(v) the publication of an intimate visual
depiction that constitutes--
``(I) child pornography (as that
term is defined in section 2256 of
title 18, United States Code); or
``(II) a visual depiction described
in subsection (a) or (b) of section
1466A of title 18, United States Code
(relating to obscene visual
representations of the sexual abuse of
children).
``(4) Penalties.--
``(A) Offenses involving adults.--Any person who
violates paragraph (2)(A) or (3)(A) shall be fined
under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more
than 2 years, or both.
``(B) Offenses involving minors.--Any person who
violates paragraph (2)(B) or (3)(B) shall be fined
under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more
than 3 years, or both.
``(5) Rules of construction.--For purposes of paragraphs
(2) and (3)--
``(A) the fact that the identifiable individual
provided consent for the creation of the intimate
visual depiction shall not establish that the
individual provided consent for the publication of the
intimate visual depiction; and
``(B) the fact that the identifiable individual
disclosed the intimate visual depiction to another
individual shall not establish that the identifiable
individual provided consent for the publication of the
intimate visual depiction by the person alleged to have
violated paragraph (2) or (3), respectively.
``(6) Threats.--
``(A) Threats involving authentic intimate visual
depictions.--Any person who intentionally threatens to
commit an offense under paragraph (2) for the purpose
of intimidation, coercion, extortion, or to create
mental distress shall be punished as provided in
paragraph (4).
``(B) Threats involving digital forgeries.--
``(i) Threats involving adults.--Any person
who intentionally threatens to commit an
offense under paragraph (3)(A) for the purpose
of intimidation, coercion, extortion, or to
create mental distress shall be fined under
title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not
more than 18 months, or both.
``(ii) Threats involving minors.--Any
person who intentionally threatens to commit an
offense under paragraph (3)(B) for the purpose
of intimidation, coercion, extortion, or to
create mental distress shall be fined under
title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not
more than 30 months, or both.
``(7) Forfeiture.--
``(A) In general.--The court, in imposing a
sentence on any person convicted of a violation of
paragraph (2) or (3), shall order, in addition to any
other sentence imposed and irrespective of any
provision of State law, that the person forfeit to the
United States--
``(i) any material distributed in violation
of that paragraph;
``(ii) the person's interest in property,
real or personal, constituting or derived from
any gross proceeds of the violation, or any
property traceable to such property, obtained
or retained directly or indirectly as a result
of the violation; and
``(iii) any personal property of the person
used, or intended to be used, in any manner or
part, to commit or to facilitate the commission
of the violation.
``(B) Procedures.--Section 413 of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853), with the exception of
subsections (a) and (d), shall apply to the criminal
forfeiture of property under subparagraph (A).
``(8) Restitution.--The court shall order restitution for
an offense under paragraph (2) or (3) in the same manner as
under section 2264 of title 18, United States Code.
``(9) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to limit the application of any other
relevant law, including section 2252 of title 18, United States
Code.''.
(b) Defenses.--Section 223(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 223(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``or (d)'' and inserting
``, (d), or (h)''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (i) of section
223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223), as so
redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by inserting
``Definitions.--'' before ``For purposes of this section''.
SEC. 3. NOTICE AND REMOVAL OF NONCONSENSUAL INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTIONS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Notice and removal process.--
(A) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, a covered platform shall
establish a process whereby an identifiable individual
(or an authorized person acting on behalf of such
individual) may--
(i) notify the covered platform of an
intimate visual depiction published on the
covered platform that--
(I) includes a depiction of the
identifiable individual; and
(II) was published without the
consent of the identifiable individual;
and
(ii) submit a request for the covered
platform to remove such intimate visual
depiction.
(B) Requirements.--A notification and request for
removal of an intimate visual depiction submitted under
the process established under subparagraph (A) shall
include, in writing--
(i) a physical or electronic signature of
the identifiable individual (or an authorized
person acting on behalf of such individual);
(ii) an identification of, and information
reasonably sufficient for the covered platform
to locate, the intimate visual depiction of the
identifiable individual;
(iii) a brief statement that the
identifiable individual has a good faith belief
that any intimate visual depiction identified
under clause (ii) is not consensual, including
any relevant information for the covered
platform to determine the intimate visual
depiction was published without the consent of
the identifiable individual; and
(iv) information sufficient to enable the
covered platform to contact the identifiable
individual (or an authorized person acting on
behalf of such individual).
(2) Notice of process.--A covered platform shall provide on
the platform a clear and conspicuous notice, which may be
provided through a clear and conspicuous link to another web
page or disclosure, of the notice and removal process
established under paragraph (1)(A) that--
(A) is easy to read and in plain language; and
(B) provides information regarding the
responsibilities of the covered platform under this
section, including a description of how an individual
can submit a notification and request for removal.
(3) Removal of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions.--
Upon receiving a valid removal request from an identifiable
individual (or an authorized person acting on behalf of such
individual) using the process described in paragraph
(1)(A)(ii), a covered platform shall, as soon as possible, but
not later than 48 hours after receiving such request--
(A) remove the intimate visual depiction; and
(B) make reasonable efforts to identify and remove
any known identical copies of such depiction.
(4) Limitation on liability.--A covered platform shall not
be liable for any claim based on the covered platform's good
faith disabling of access to, or removal of, material claimed
to be a nonconsensual intimate visual depiction based on facts
or circumstances from which the unlawful publishing of an
intimate visual depiction is apparent, regardless of whether
the intimate visual depiction is ultimately determined to be
unlawful or not.
(b) Enforcement by the Commission.--
(1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.--A failure to
reasonably comply with the notice and takedown obligations
under subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule
defining an unfair or a deceptive act or practice under section
18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C.
57a(a)(1)(B)).
(2) Powers of the commission.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(D), the Commission shall enforce this section in the
same manner, by the same means, and with the same
jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all
applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated
into and made a part of this section.
(B) Privileges and immunities.--Any person who
violates this section shall be subject to the penalties
and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided
in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et
seq.).
(C) Authority preserved.--Nothing in this Act shall
be construed to limit the authority of the Federal
Trade Commission under any other provision of law.
(D) Scope of jurisdiction.--Notwithstanding section
4, 5(a)(2), or 6 of the Federal Trade Commission Act
(15 U.S.C. 44, 45(a)(2), 46), or any jurisdictional
limitation of the Commission, the Commission shall also
enforce this section in the same manner provided in
subparagraph (A), with respect to organizations that
are not organized to carry on business for their own
profit or that of their members.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Trade Commission.
(2) Consent; digital forgery; identifiable individual;
intimate visual depiction.--The terms ``consent'', ``digital
forgery'', ``identifiable individual'', ``intimate visual
depiction'', and ``minor'' have the meaning given such terms in
section 223(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
223), as added by section 2.
(3) Covered platform.--
(A) In general.--The term ``covered platform''
means a website, online service, online application, or
mobile application--
(i) that serves the public; and
(ii)(I) that primarily provides a forum for
user-generated content, including messages,
videos, images, games, and audio files; or
(II) for which it is in the regular course
of trade or business of the website, online
service, online application, or mobile
application to publish, curate, host, or make
available content of nonconsensual intimate
visual depictions.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``covered platform''
shall not include the following:
(i) A provider of broadband internet access
service (as described in section 8.1(b) of
title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or
successor regulation).
(ii) Electronic mail.
(iii) Except as provided in subparagraph
(A)(ii)(II), an online service, application, or
website--
(I) that consists primarily of
content that is not user generated but
is preselected by the provider of such
online service, application, or
website; and
(II) for which any chat, comment,
or interactive functionality is
incidental to, directly related to, or
dependent on the provision of the
content described in subclause (I).
SEC. 5. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, is
determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions of
this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not be affected.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 1.
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-82.
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-82.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 59.
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