President Trump has thrown his support behind the Take It Down Act, a bill designed to combat the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated deepfakes. The legislation has gained momentum, particularly with First Lady Melania Trump backing the effort, and Trump himself endorsing it during his March 4 address to Congress.

We obtained a copy of the bill for you here.

"The Senate just passed the Take It Down Act…. Once it passes the House, I look forward to signing that bill into law. And I'm going to use that bill for myself too if you don't mind, because nobody gets treated worse than I do online, nobody."

While this comment was likely tongue-in-cheek, it highlights an important question: how will this law be enforced, and who will benefit the most from it?

A Necessary Law with Potential Pitfalls

The rise of AI-generated explicit content and the increasing problem of revenge porn are serious concerns. Victims of NCII have long struggled to get harmful content removed, often facing bureaucratic roadblocks while the damage continues to spread. The Take It Down Act aims to give individuals more power to protect themselves online.

However, as with many internet regulations, the challenge is in the details. Laws designed to curb harmful content often run the risk of being too broad, potentially leading to overreach. Critics warn that, without clear safeguards, the legislation could be used beyond its intended purpose.

The Free Speech Debate

The bill's language could allow well-funded individuals and public figures to demand takedowns of content they claim is "non-consensual," even when those claims are debatable. While protecting privacy is crucial, there is a fine line between removing harmful material and suppressing legitimate speech.

Supporters argue that tech companies have been slow to act against NCII, and stronger measures are necessary. Meanwhile, civil liberties advocates worry that enforcement mechanisms could be misused, leading to potential censorship of investigative journalism, political commentary, or satirical content.