TAKE IT DOWN Act 2026: The New Federal Deepfake Law — What Victims Can Do Right Now

# TAKE IT DOWN Act 2026: The New Federal Deepfake Law — What Victims Can Do Right Now

> **Quick answer:** The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a federal law signed May 19, 2025 that criminalizes sharing nonconsensual intimate images — real or AI-generated. Platforms have until May 19, 2026 to set up removal processes. The first conviction under the law happened in April 2026. But there's a significant catch: victims cannot sue platforms directly. Only the FTC can enforce the platform rules, leaving a gap that state laws like Minnesota's new nudification ban are now racing to fill.

The deadline is 17 days away. On May 19, 2026, every major social media platform, website, and app that hosts user-generated content must have a working removal process for nonconsensual intimate images — including AI-generated deepfakes. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is now federal law, the first conviction is already on record, and yet most victims have no idea what rights they actually have or where the law's limits begin.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters specific to your situation.*

## What the TAKE IT DOWN Act Actually Does

Congress passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act in April 2025, and President Trump signed it into law on May 19, 2025. The law does two things simultaneously: it creates a new federal crime, and it imposes new obligations on online platforms.