History of TAKE IT DOWN Act in Timeline

The TAKE IT DOWN Act, enacted in the United States in May 2025, addresses the proliferation of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes, on online platforms. Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in June 2024, it passed both houses of Congress with overwhelming support. The law mandates the removal of such content from websites and social media applications, aiming to combat the exploitation facilitated by these technologies. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law.

2022: Klobuchar introduces SHIELD Act

In 2022, Senator Klobuchar introduced the Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act.

2023: Incident in Aledo, Texas prompts bill

In 2023, an incident in Aledo, Texas, involving manipulated photos of high school students posted on Snapchat, served as the impetus for Senator Cruz to propose the Take It Down Act.

June 2024: Senator Cruz proposes Take It Down Act

In June 2024, Senator Ted Cruz first proposed the Take It Down Act after a 2023 incident involving manipulated photos of students on Snapchat.

September 2024: Initial passage blocked by Cory Booker

In September 2024, the bill's initial passage was blocked by Cory Booker, who sought modifications.

December 2024: Bill passes Senate unanimously after amendments

In December 2024, after Booker and Cruz worked together to add amendments, the bill passed the Senate unanimously.

2024: DEFIANCE Act clears Senate but fails in House

In 2024, the DEFIANCE Act cleared the Senate but failed to pass the House.

February 2025: Cruz re-introduces TAKE IT DOWN Act

In February 2025, Cruz re-introduced the bill, now with 20 co-sponsors, and it passed unanimously.

February 2025: Klobuchar reintroduces SHIELD Act

In February 2025, Senator Klobuchar reintroduced the Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act in the Senate.

April 2025: TAKE IT DOWN Act passes both houses

In April 2025, the TAKE IT DOWN Act passed both houses of Congress with near unanimous votes.

April 28, 2025: TAKE IT DOWN Act passes House

On April 28, 2025, the TAKE IT DOWN Act passed the full House with a 409–2 vote.

May 2025: Ocasio-Cortez reintroduces DEFIANCE Act

In May 2025, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reintroduced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act after the passage of TAKE IT DOWN.