First Lady Melania Trump has marked the committee passage of the Take It Down Act, known officially as H.R. 633, which cleared the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 8, 2025. The bill secured substantial bipartisan backing, with a vote of 49 to 1, and aims to shield children from the online threats posed by non-consensual intimate imagery.
Melania Trump expressed her commitment to protecting the well-being of children, stating, “I remain dedicated to championing child well-being, ensuring that every young person can thrive and ‘Be Best.’” She urged Congress to expedite the bill's passage, underscoring the potential for a safer future through bipartisan endeavors.
Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), the Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, voiced his support for the bill. “No man, woman, or child should be subjected to the spread of explicit AI images meant to target and harass innocent victims,” Guthrie stated. He credited the advocates and legislators for their efforts in raising awareness and building a coalition in favor of the legislation.
The bill mandates internet platforms, including social media, to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours upon notification by victims. It also criminalizes the act of publishing or threatening to publish such images.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, highlighted the importance of the legislation in safeguarding victims of online exploitation. He emphasized the necessity of addressing AI-generated content in the protections provided by the bill.
Personal testimonies also underscored the importance of the legislation. Shannon Cronister-Heacock spoke about her son Elijah, who was victimized by an online extortion scheme. Elliston Berry and Francesca Mani, both survivors of privacy violations involving deepfake technology, reflected on the significance of the bill in affording legal protections and fostering change.
Dorota Mani, an advocate and educator, along with Andrea Powell, Co-Founder and Chief of Impact at Alecto AI, noted the importance of the bill in defending individuals against image-based sexual abuse. Powell commented, “Alecto AI supports the TAKE IT DOWN Act because we believe that in its passage, we will be getting closer to a world where young women and girls don’t have to worry that being online means being targets of sexual violence.”
The progression of the Take It Down Act now places it on the path to consideration by the full House of Representatives and potentially the President’s signature thereafter.
