Understanding the Take It Down Act: America's New Law Against AI Deepfakes and Revenge Porn

Thu, 21 May 2026, 13:45 WIB | By Gana Buana | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Regulation

US government officially enacted the latest provisions of the Take It Down Act beginning 19 May 2026. This federal law requires digital platforms to remove revenge porn and AI-generated deepfake content promptly after it is reported by victims.

Enacted by President Trump on 19 May 2025, the law is designed to combat the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) on the internet. The rule comprises two main points: criminalisation of distributing intimate content without consent and a platform’s obligation to remove such content.

Although the criminalisation aspect has been in effect since last year, the provision requiring a platform’s removal duties has only just become active after a one-year transition period. Platforms that violate could face firm action from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Key Provisions of the New Rule:

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun taking legal action under the act. On 7 April 2026, James Strahler II became the first person convicted on charges related to cyberstalking and AI-based production of lewd material.

Most recently, on 20 May 2026, the DOJ announced the arrest of two individuals, Cornelius Shannon and Arturo Hernandez. They are accused of producing hundreds of albums containing deepfake pornography that harmed around 140 victims, including celebrities and public officials.

While the act is aimed at protecting victims, Take It Down Act has sparked debate. Critics from the Cato Institute warned of the potential misuse of false reports to suppress freedom of expression, similar to issues seen with DMCA (copyright).

Mary Anne Franks, President of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, told The Verge: “I am very concerned this could be used as a pretext to crack down on educational material for children exploring gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Deepfake is no longer merely entertainment technology or digital editing. The misuse of AI to create non-consensual pornography is now developing into electronic-based sexual crime, with victims ranging from female university students to schoolgirls.

Freya JKT48 has formally reported vulgar AI-manipulated photos to the South Jakarta Police. This firm action uses the ITE Law No 1 of 2024 to target the accounts @grok and @swap.

Sexual harassment via social media appears in various forms as technology advances, and parents and children must stay vigilant.

Efforts to eradicate electronic-based sexual violence (KSBE) must continue. The effectiveness of existing laws must be continually enhanced.

Several finalists of Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 visited the Metro Jaya Police to be questioned on allegations of sexual harassment during body checking.

The Metro Jaya Police will summon the operators of the Sari Pacific Jakarta hotel, which hosted Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 finalists during body checking without clothing.

Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 finalists alleged to have been victims of sexual harassment during body checking will be summoned to the Metro Jaya Police.

View JSON | Print