United States regulator starts enforcing law on non-consensual intimate image removals

The Federal Trade Commission has started enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a new US law requiring covered online platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images and identical copies within 48 hours after receiving a valid request.

The law’s enforcement deadline took effect on 19 May 2026. Platforms covered by the legislation must provide a process allowing victims and survivors to request removals of intimate photos or videos shared without consent.

As part of the rollout, the FTC launched a dedicated reporting website where users can file complaints against platforms that fail to comply or do not provide the required removal mechanism.

The law applies to both authentic and AI-generated intimate content. Its implementation comes amid growing concern over deepfake technologies and AI tools that can generate synthetic sexual imagery using publicly available photos.

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said the law is intended to provide faster recourse for victims of digital exploitation and extortion, particularly minors.

Ahead of the enforcement deadline, the FTC sent compliance reminder letters to major technology companies, including Meta Platforms, Alphabet, TikTok, Reddit, Snap, and X.

The law creates a direct regulatory obligation tied to takedown speed. Unlike broader platform moderation debates, the focus here is operational: whether platforms have systems capable of verifying requests, identifying duplicate content, and removing material within the statutory deadline.

Implementation may also test how platforms handle disputed claims, copied material across services, and AI-generated content that can rapidly reappear after removal.