The Take It Down Act
Welcome to the Take It Down Data Repository. This platform structures the current Take It Down Act into an organized, accessible format for precise review. The Take It Down Act is a significant federal law in the United States designed to combat nonconsensual intimate imagery online, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes. Signed into law by President Donald Trump in May 2025, the legislation creates a robust federal framework to address the growing problem of nonconsensual sharing of intimate images.
What is Take It Down?
Take It Down is a comprehensive federal initiative in the United States consisting of two interconnected components:
The Take It Down Act: Signed into law in May 2025, this federal legislation criminalizes the nonconsensual sharing of intimate imagery, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes. It establishes legal penalties and mandates platform compliance with strict takedown requirements.
The Take It Down Service: Operated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), this is the implementation mechanism that provides victims with a practical, privacy-preserving tool to remove exploitative content from participating online platforms.
Together, these components create a robust framework addressing the growing problem of nonconsensual intimate imagery by combining legal enforcement with technological solutions.
Core Concepts:
Hash-Based Identification: The system uses digital fingerprinting technology to identify matching images across platforms without requiring victims to upload or share sensitive content.
48-Hour Takedown Requirement: Platforms must remove reported content within 48 hours and take steps to prevent reappearance of duplicate content.
Federal Jurisdiction: Establishes consistent nationwide protection beyond varying state laws.
Privacy Preservation: Technical implementation ensures victim anonymity and privacy throughout the reporting process.
Protected Groups:
Primary Focus - Minors: Special protection for individuals with content created when they were under 18 years old, with dedicated tools through NCMEC.
Adult Victims: Legal protection extends to all individuals regardless of age, with alternative resources (stopncii.org) recommended for adults.
Vulnerable Populations: Particular emphasis on protecting teenagers and girls who face disproportionate impacts from nonconsensual intimate imagery.
For Victims:
Content Identification: Victims identify the explicit image or video on their own device.
Hash Generation: Using the Take It Down service, a unique digital fingerprint (hash) is created for each piece of content without uploading or sharing the actual image/video.
Database Entry: The hash value is added to NCMEC's secure database shared with participating platforms.
Automated Detection: Participating platforms scan their services for matching content.
Rapid Removal: When matches are found, platforms remove the content within the mandated 48-hour timeframe.
Additional Support: Victims can access supplementary resources including reporting options for threats and mental health services.
For Platforms:
Compliance Requirements: Platforms must implement systems to scan for hash-matched content.
Removal Timelines: Content must be removed within 48 hours of notification.
Duplicate Prevention: Platforms must take steps to prevent reappearance of removed content.
Legal Liability: Failure to comply can result in legal consequences under federal law.