KQED's Forum The ‘Take It Down Act,’ Explained
Jun 11, 2025
Paresh Dave, a Senior Writer at Wired, Jasmine Mithani, a Data and Technology Reporter for The 19th, and Aisha Wahab, California State Senator, dive into the implications of the new 'Take It Down Act.' They discuss how this law aims to combat revenge porn and deepfakes, while highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable communities. The trio explores the challenges in enforcing this legislation, concerns over free speech, and the urgent need for tech companies to ensure accountability. They also offer advice for victims navigating this complex legal landscape.
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Key Provisions of Take It Down Act
- The Take It Down Act criminalizes publishing and sharing intimate images without consent and requires websites to remove them within 48 hours.
- It also covers threats to release such images, aiming to prevent blackmail and preempt harm.
Breeze Liu's Takedown Struggle
- Breeze Liu's non-consensual intimate images were online for almost 10 months despite removal efforts.
- She had to confront a Microsoft executive directly to get images removed, highlighting how difficult takedown can be.
Digital Sexual Violence Impact
- Advocates call non-consensual image distribution "digital sexual violence" due to its severe impact.
- Victims suffer effects similar to physical sexual assault, with long-lasting emotional harm.