Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Washington — In a significant move, the House has approved a bipartisan bill that criminalizes the unauthorized posting of sexually explicit material, both real and synthetic, about individuals online. This legislation, which has garnered support from first lady Melania Trump, is now set to be reviewed by the president.
The bill, referred to as the “Take It Down Act,” was passed with an overwhelming majority, achieving a 409-2 vote in the House, with both dissenting votes coming from Republican representatives. Earlier this year, the Senate had unanimously approved the measure.
This new law mandates that social media platforms and other online services must remove explicit images or videos, including those created with artificial intelligence, within 48 hours of receiving a request from a victim.
“For individuals affected by revenge porn or AI-generated unwelcome content, the implications are lifelong,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican and the bill’s sponsor, during a roundtable discussion on March 3. He shared the story of Elliston Berry, a teenager who became a victim when a classmate used an app to create and distribute explicit images of her to their peers. Berry’s mother faced significant challenges attempting to have the images removed from Snapchat, and it was only after reaching out to Cruz’s office that she found assistance.
“It should not require intervention from a senator or member of Congress for a victim to have harmful content removed,” Cruz emphasized.
Melania Trump, who typically maintains a low public profile, participated in the March discussion at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for the bill’s passage through the House. She expressed her concern for young individuals, especially girls, overwhelmed by the threats posed by malicious online content, including deepfakes. “This toxic environment can have severe effects,” she remarked.
The first lady expressed gratitude to Congress following the bill’s passage, highlighting the bipartisan support as a strong commitment to safeguarding the dignity and privacy of youth. “I appreciate the Congress members — from both the House and the Senate — who have prioritized the welfare of young people,” she stated.
Reports from the FBI indicate a troubling rise in cases where victims of online exploitation have faced not only extortion but, in extreme situations, have tragically taken their lives. Lawmakers expressed their hope that this legislation will provide vital support to victims.
“This bill serves a clear and essential purpose: it aims to end cyber abuse, prevent bullying among children, and ultimately mitigate the risk of suicides linked to shame,” stated Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, who cosponsored the legislation, during a debate on the House floor.
Major digital platforms like Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok and Snapchat, have publicly voiced their backing for the legislation. Nonetheless, digital rights advocates have raised concerns that the current provisions could inadvertently infringe upon lawful expression, including the regulation of legitimate adult content, while lacking safeguards against malicious takedown attempts.
Source
www.cbsnews.com