Pres. Trump signs 'Take It Down Act' bill designed to fight AI deepfakes, revenge porn
President Trump signs bill to fight AI deepfakes
Pres. Trump signed the 'Take It Down Act' on May 19. The bill targets the sharing of non-consensual explicit images and deepfakes. The law became a priority for First Lady Melania Trump.
Aledo teen attends White House bill signing
Aledo teen Elliston Berry attended the signing of the 'Take It Down' Act, which is meant to confront revenge porn and deepfakes.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump was joined by First Lady Melania Trump on Monday afternoon to sign a bill targeting non-censual images, including deepfakes made with artificial intelligence and revenge porn.
The bipartisan bill, known as the Take It Down Act, was first introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota.
Elliston Berry, a teen from Aledo who was a victim of explicit deepfake images, was in attendance at the bill signing.
Take It Down Act bill signing
Pres. Trump signs anti-revenge porn 'Take It Down' Act
The Take it Down Act makes it illegal to knowingly publish non-consensual intimate imagery, including "digital forgeries" created with AI software (or deepfake pornography), and require social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content upon notification from a victim.
A large crowd of Senators and officials were in the White House Rose Garden on Monday to watch the signing of the bill.
President Trump talked about the bipartisan nature of the bill.
The Take It Down Act, passed the House by a 409-2 vote last month.
It passed the U.S. Senate for a second time in February after stalling late last year.
What they're saying:
"We will not tolerate online sexual exploitation, and especially, it's gone on at levels that nobody's ever seen before. It's getting worse and worse, and I think this is going to hopefully stop it," said Pres. Trump.
Sen. Cruz called the bill signing a "historic win" for victims.
"Predators who weaponize new technology to post this exploitative filth will now rightfully face criminal consequences, and Big Tech will no longer be allowed to turn a blind eye to the spread of this vile material," wrote Cruz on social media.
What is the Take It Down Act?
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NTX teen joins Melania Trump for 'Take it Down Act'
Aledo teenager Elliston Berry joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and First Lady Melania Trump to talk about a new push to protect people against deepfake pornography.
The Take it Down Act is legislation introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas that makes it illegal to knowingly publish "non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including "digital forgeries" created with AI software (or deepfake pornography), and require social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content upon notification from a victim," according to a 2024 release from Cruz’s office.
Under the bill, anyone who distributes explicit images without the subject's consent will face a fine and up to three years in prison.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Senate passed Take It Down Act
The bill was created to stop what is called deepfakes, AI-generated explicit images of people, posted on social media. The revenge porn issue impacted a Fort Worth teen, and it’s happened to others around the country.
Websites and social media companies also must remove such content within 48 hours of being notified by a victim.
The platforms are also required to take steps to delete duplicate content.
Dig deeper:
Most states have laws protecting individuals from revenge porn, but only 20 states have explicit laws covering deepfake non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), per a release from Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida.
Researchers tell the Associated Press that the number of explicit deepfakes have increased in the last several years, as the technology used to create these explicit images is more accessible and easier to use.
Texas victim supported bill
Aledo teen on journey to 'Take It Down' Act's passage
President Trump signed the 'Take It Down' Act into law on Monday. Aledo teen Elliston Berry was a freshman in high school when someone used artificial intelligence technology to create false naked images of her. Berry has worked with Senator Ted Cruz, First Lady Melania Trump and others to make the law a reality.
Local perspective:
Elliston Berry of Aledo was 14 years old when a classmate took an image off social media and used a computer program to create fake naked photos of her.
Berry says she and her mother tried to get the image of her removed for months, but struggled to get replies. Her mother's messages to Snapchat to have the images taken down received no response.
The teen appeared with Sen. Cruz multiple times to share her story and attempt to get the Take It Down Act passed.
Berry was a guest of First Lady Melania Trump during the President's joint address to Congress in March.
Elliston said the fact that the bill received bipartisan support was important to her.
"That means a lot, especially because nowadays it's really hard for people to agree, especially in politics. So having that ability for it to be bipartisan really just shows that it's for the people, and it's for protection of the children," she said. "Seeing that kind of agreement, and seeing that protection is super important."
Elliston's mother, Anna McAdams said the bill gives parents more avenues to keep their children safe.
"This has been a long time coming. We're very excited about today, and to see it actually come to fruition and become law. So this is gonna protect so many people. And so as a parent who, when this happened, I had no way to protect my daughter," she said.
McAdams says he is now going to work to mark sure schools teach students what to do if they become victims of deepfakes.
What they're saying:
On Monday, Berry was addressed directly by the president and first lady.
"Elliston quickly became a powerful advocate, committed to preventing other girls from suffering the same abuse. Elliston, we salute you and we thank you very much," Pres. Trump said.
"Elliston Berry stood boldly for change despite risk to her and her family, Elliston you made this bill a national priority," said Melania Trump.
The Source: Information on Monday's bill signing comes from the White House. Information about the Take It Down Act comes from Sen. Ted Cruz, the Associated Press and past FOX coverage.