America's dangerous, messy deepfakes crackdown is here

"A law requiring social networks to quickly remove sexual deepfakes and other nonconsensual imagery is now fully in force. But experts warn the policy could do little to help victims - and at worst could facilitate censorship online."

"Taking effect a year after the law's passage - on May 19th of 2026 - it requires online platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours or face fines. The law immediately criminalized distributing NCII, whether in the form of real or AI-generated material, something many states at least partially do already."

"Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson sent letters to over a dozen tech companies ahead of the deadline, a list the FTC said included Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Automattic, Bumble, Discord, Match Group, Meta, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, SmugMug, Snapchat, TikTok and X. It instructed the platforms to offer users an easy takedown request process and remove offending content within 48 hours, as well as any "known identical copies.""

"The agency, which is tasked with enforcing the law, reminded companies that violating it could result in civil penalties of more than $53,000 per violation. Major platforms including Meta, Micro"

The Take It Down Act is fully in force, requiring online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery within 48 hours or face fines. The law criminalizes distributing nonconsensual intimate imagery, including real or AI-generated material. Enforcement is supported by Federal Trade Commission letters sent to major tech companies, instructing them to provide an easy takedown request process and remove offending content within the deadline, including known identical copies. The FTC warns that violations can trigger civil penalties exceeding $53,000 per violation. Experts caution that the takedown requirement may do little for victims and could instead facilitate censorship online.

Read at The Verge