Trump Signs Federal Law Criminalizing Revenge Porn, AI-Generated Images

President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan "Take It Down Act," the first federal law criminalizing the non-consensual posting of explicit images, including those generated by artificial intelligence, known as revenge porn or deepfakes. The law mandates online platforms to remove such images within 48 hours or face civil liabilities, while perpetrators may be sentenced to up to three years in prison. First Lady Melania Trump, instrumental in advocating for the legislation as part of her Be Best initiative, described the bill as a national victory for protecting children and families from online exploitation. The legislation addresses growing concerns about AI-generated explicit content and aims to standardize protections across states, many of which have varying laws. Critics, including free expression advocates, have raised concerns about potential censorship powers granted by the bill. The law reflects a strong federal response to the increasing use of technology for sexual exploitation, with victims and advocates present at the signing highlighting the urgent need for such protections.