S 146 · Signed into Law · 05-19-25
TAKE IT DOWN Act
What does the TAKE IT DOWN Act do?
S 146 is a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish nonconsensual intimate images of a person online — including AI-generated "deepfake" forgeries — and requires online platforms to remove such images within 48 hours of a valid request. Creates federal criminal penalties for nonconsensual intimate-image publication (real or AI-generated) and requires covered platforms to remove flagged images within 48 hours.
Did S 146 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, S 146 has been signed into law on May 19, 2025.
Status: Signed into Law
Latest vote: House Passed 409–2 on April 28, 2025
Outlook: Enacted
Enacted: Signed into law on May 19, 2025
Key provisions
- New Federal Crime for Nonconsensual Intimate Images
- Bans knowingly publishing nonconsensual intimate images of adults that cause harm
- Covers AI-generated "digital forgeries" indistinguishable from real images
- Up to 2 years in prison for images of adults, 3 years for minors
- Threats and Forfeiture
- Threatening to publish such images is also a crime
- Courts must order forfeiture of proceeds and equipment used
- Mandatory restitution to victims
- 48-Hour Platform Takedown
- Covered platforms must build a removal-request process within 1 year
- Must remove flagged images within 48 hours of a valid request
- FTC enforces noncompliance as an unfair or deceptive practice
Last updated June 19, 2026