WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump signed into law the Take it Down Act, increasing consequences on people who post revenge porn and requiring social media websites to take it down within 48 hours.
The law also treats artificial intelligence generated revenge porn the same as real photos under the law.
First Lady Melania Trump urged Congress to pass the law, part of her “Be Best” initiative.
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed the Take it Down Act, nearly unanimously.
“Thank you all for coming together to prioritize people over politics,” First Lady Melania Trump said.
President Trump cheered the bipartisan cooperation that led to the passage of the Take it Down Act, noting that only two representatives voted against the legislation.
“We will not tolerate online sexual exploitation,” President Trump said.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said the story of a Texas teenager inspired him to sponsor the Take it Down Act. Elliston Berry said she was a freshman in high school when someone created a pornographic photo of her using AI.
“It was really scary to even go to school,” Berry said.
Sen. Cruz said the social media company didn’t take the photo off the app until his office got involved.
“It took nine months for Elliston’s pictures to be taken down from Snapchat. That is not right. Everyone should have a right to get these taken down,” Cruz said.
Berry was at the White House with President Trump as he signed the bill into law. President Trump also encouraged First Lady Melania Trump to sign the bill to recognize her involvement.
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