First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance on Capitol Hill to support the bipartisan ‘Take It Down’ Act, aiming to criminalize the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfake pornography.
Standing alongside Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, co-sponsors of the bill, she emphasized the urgent need to protect individuals, especially minors, from online exploitation.
“I was heartened to learn that Sen. [Ted] Cruz and Sen. [Amy] Klobuchar united to prioritize this fundamental matter…I must admit, I expected to see more Democrats here with us today,” the First Lady commented.
The proposed legislation seeks to make it a federal crime to knowingly distribute intimate content without consent, addressing the growing issue of deepfake technology used to create explicit images. Platforms hosting user-generated content would be required to implement procedures for swift removal of such material upon victim notification, with a 48-hour compliance window.
Melania Trump highlighted the severe impact of malicious online content on teenagers, particularly young girls, and called for bipartisan support to prioritize the safety of America’s children over partisan politics.
“In today’s AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarmingly high. As organizations harness the power of our data, the risk of unauthorized access and misuses of personal information escalates,” Melania went onto add.
The ‘Take It Down’ Act has already passed the Senate unanimously and is expected to proceed through the House. Its enactment would enhance protections for victims and impose stricter penalties on perpetrators, reflecting a significant step toward fostering a safer online environment.
