House Passes Bill to Ban Sharing of Revenge Porn, Sending It to Trump

The House passed a bipartisan bill on Monday criminalizing the sharing of nonconsensual sexually explicit photos and videos, including deepfake images. The legislation, known as the Take It Down Act, requires social media platforms to remove such content within two days of being notified. The bill received overwhelming support, with a vote of 409 to 2, and is expected to be signed by President Trump.

The bill was introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar and aims to combat revenge porn and deepfakes. It is the first internet content law to pass Congress since 2018 and represents a significant step towards regulating internet companies that have long avoided government oversight.

Senator Klobuchar highlighted the importance of the bill in addressing the harassment and harm caused by nonconsensual images. The legislation has garnered bipartisan support and reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about harmful content on social media platforms.

Representative María Elvira Salazar emphasized the need to protect young girls from online abuse and harassment. The bill’s passage aligns with similar efforts in state legislatures across the country to criminalize revenge porn and deepfakes.

While the bill has faced criticism for potential implications on free speech and privacy online, supporters argue that it is necessary to combat image-based sexual abuse. Only two Republican representatives voted against the bill, citing concerns about unintended consequences.

Overall, the Take It Down Act represents a significant milestone in addressing the spread of nonconsensual sexually explicit content online and holding platforms accountable for removing such material promptly.