Pasco Reporter

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bill primarily championed by Congressman Gus Bilirakis. The legislation aims to criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images, covering both real and AI-generated content. Platforms will be mandated to remove such imagery within 48 hours upon notification. This move comes in response to incidents like a recent case in Pasco County, where an elementary school teacher was found using student photos for AI-generated content.

The bill seeks to protect victims of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) by criminalizing the publication of such content, insisting social media to delete it quickly after a victim's request, and protecting lawful speech by ensuring definitions comply with First Amendment standards. "I am glad we are one step closer to protecting victims of online sexual exploitation," said Congressman Bilirakis. He expressed gratitude for the efforts of other representatives, such as María Elvira Salazar and Madeleine Dean, and stressed the need for swift Senate action.

Despite existing state laws against NCII, variability in crime classification and uneven prosecution have led to ongoing challenges for victims. Although a 2022 congressional act allows civil action against publishers of NCII, the legal process remains cumbersome and costly. The TAKE IT DOWN Act enjoys robust backing from over 100 organizations, including major tech companies and advocacy groups like RAINN, which have called for prompt legislative action.

The bill now awaits deliberation and passage by the Senate for it to become law under President Trump's administration.