Trump takes strong action, AI-generated deepfake pornography becomes a federal crime!

U.S. President Trump has signed a new bill supported by First Lady Melania that severely cracks down on the non-consensual distribution of AI-generated deepfake pornography, explicitly designating it as a federal offense, with violators facing fines and even imprisonment.

The law, named the "TAKE IT DOWN Act," requires all websites and platforms to remove related illegal images within 48 hours of receiving a report and mandates the establishment of a rapid response mechanism to prevent the spread of deepfake content. The bill targets private images of both adults and minors, aiming to curb online harassment and malicious dissemination.

Trump announced at the White House that this legislation not only combats traditional deepfake pornography but also encompasses AI-generated false images, reflecting the government's serious stance on the abuse of emerging technologies. Melania has actively lobbied Congress to support this initiative, calling it a "significant victory for the nation" and warning that while AI and social media technologies may be enticing, they could be weaponized, posing a severe threat to the mental health and social safety of young people.

The bill was jointly proposed by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar and was approved by Congress in April 2024. This action responds to the early 2024 incident of deepfake images of celebrity Taylor Swift circulating illegally on social media, demonstrating the government's determination to combat deepfakes.

Not only the United States, but countries like the United Kingdom have also designated such content as illegal and incorporated it into cybersecurity regulations. Security company reports indicate that the vast majority of online deepfake content involves pornography, with 99% of victims being women, highlighting the severity and targeting of such crimes.

The implementation of this law marks the first significant regulatory action against AI abuse in the digital age, potentially sparking a new wave of global governance on deepfakes.