Snap and various prominent social media platforms have openly supported the Take It Down Act, a contentious legislative measure designed to tackle the dissemination of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and AI-generated deepfakes on the internet.
In a statement, Snap highlighted the significance of the legislation in safeguarding users against the unauthorized distribution of personal images. “This law is a vital step not just in aiding to shield individuals from having their private images circulated without consent, but also in curbing the flow of AI-generated intimate visuals that can be equally harmful,” the company remarked. Snap noted that the Take It Down Act aligns with its ongoing initiatives to avert the proliferation of NCII and child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery (CSEAI) on its platform.
Roblox co-founder David Baszucki also expressed his support for the legislation, underlining the dangers children confront online. “The capacity to swiftly distribute images and videos is one of the factors that makes the internet a complicated and perilous environment for children,” he stated. “This content is extremely sensitive, and we require enhanced governmental oversight for applications that permit image and video sharing. Presently, Roblox does not endorse this functionality.”
The bipartisan Take It Down Act was proposed by Senator Ted Cruz in June and was passed by the Senate in February. The law would criminalize the publication or threats of publishing explicit images without consent, including those made with artificial intelligence. According to the bill, social media platforms would need to eliminate such content—and any duplicates—within 48 hours. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would receive new powers to initiate legal proceedings against platforms that do not adhere to these requirements.
In March, former First Lady Melania Trump also showed her support for the legislation, adding to a growing roster of prominent advocates.
Concerns About Free Expression and Privacy
In spite of its bipartisan support and endorsements from celebrities, the Take It Down Act has faced backlash from digital rights and free speech advocates. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation have expressed concerns regarding the bill’s potential to violate free expression and individual privacy.
These groups contend that the bill’s notice-and-takedown (NTD) framework may lead to overreach, possibly causing the censorship of lawful content such as pornography, journalism, and political discourse. In a letter sent to the Senate, they cautioned that the legislation could set a hazardous precedent for content moderation.
Critics also warn that the bill could jeopardize user privacy by pressuring platforms to adopt intrusive surveillance technologies, including automated detection tools, which might compromise the effectiveness of end-to-end encryption.
The Take It Down Act is among several legislative efforts aimed at addressing the issues posed by NCII. Another proposal, the 2024 Defiance Act (an acronym for Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits), is also gaining momentum. Led by Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, this bill aims to offer legal solutions for those affected by deepfake exploitation.
Moreover, companies like Roblox have advocated for COPPA 2.0, an amendment to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act designed to broaden privacy protections for minors under 17.
As legislators and technology companies confront the complexities of online safety, the discussion regarding how to balance protection, privacy, and free expression continues to escalate.