The internet can be a powerful tool—but in the wrong hands, it becomes a weapon. For too many people, particularly women and girls, intimate images are shared online without consent in an attempt to shame, control, or humiliate. This kind of abuse is known as image-based sexual abuse, or IBSA. It includes revenge porn, sextortion, deepfake nudes, and other forms of cyber sexual harassment.
If this has happened to you or someone you love, you are not alone—and now, for the first time, the federal government has created a criminal law designed to help. The Take It Down Act, signed into law in May 2025, marks a major step forward for survivors. At ALM Law, we are proud to stand with victims of online abuse. As experienced cyber harassment attorneys, we work to remove harmful content, pursue civil claims, and hold perpetrators accountable.
What Is the Take It Down Act?
The Take It Down Act was signed into law by President Trump on May 19, 2025, with strong bipartisan support. It is the first federal law to criminalize image-based sexual abuse. This is a historic development. Until now, there was no federal criminal law that directly addressed the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The new law makes it a federal crime to distribute—or to threaten to distribute—intimate images without the subject’s consent. It also covers AI-generated content, such as deepfake pornography. Importantly, the law applies to both adults and minors.
In addition to creating criminal penalties, the law imposes new obligations on online platforms. Platforms are required to remove non-consensual intimate content within 48 hours of receiving a survivor’s request. They must also take reasonable steps to prevent the image from being reposted. By May 2026, all covered platforms must establish a clear and accessible process for survivors—or individuals acting on their behalf—to request the removal of abusive content.
These platforms are also required to publish plain-language instructions explaining how survivors can submit removal requests. Too often, survivors are retraumatized by opaque procedures and systemic inaction. This law is intended to lower those barriers and make content removal more accessible and immediate.
The law is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which presents a potential challenge. Survivors do not have a direct legal avenue to sue platforms that fail to comply. How effectively the FTC will use its enforcement authority remains to be seen. Still, the Take It Down Act represents a meaningful step forward in a legal system that has long struggled to keep up with the realities of cyber sexual abuse.
The Law Targets Abuse—Not Free Speech
Some people worry that laws like the Take It Down Act might be used to censor legitimate expression. But the law is carefully written to avoid that result. It applies only to individuals who knowingly publish—or threaten to publish—intimate visual content without the person’s consent. It does not interfere with journalistic work, artistic expression, or other forms of speech protected under the First Amendment.
In short, while the law is strong in its response to abuse, it does not infringe on constitutionally protected speech.
Why the Take It Down Act Matters
Cyber sexual abuse is deeply traumatic. It can lead to anxiety, depression, job loss, social isolation, and long-term psychological harm. It affects safety, reputation, relationships, and mental health.
This type of abuse is also a form of gender-based violence. It disproportionately targets women and girls and is often used to punish, silence, or degrade. Federal legislation like the Take It Down Act sends a clear and overdue message: this conduct is not just morally wrong—it is criminal.
The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, a leading voice in online abuse prevention, put it plainly: “Federal criminal prohibition of this abuse is essential to supporting current survivors and deterring future perpetrators.”
What If You’re a Victim?
If you are a victim of image-based sexual abuse, you may have rights under both federal and state law. The Take It Down Act creates new protections, but it is only one tool among many.
In addition to seeking removal under the Act, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the person who harmed you. Civil claims can provide financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, as well as court orders requiring the removal of content. In many states, you can also petition for a protective order or pursue criminal charges under existing state laws. Other legal tools—such as cease-and-desist letters, DMCA takedown notices, or privacy-based claims—may also be appropriate, depending on your case.
An experienced cyber sexual abuse attorney can help you evaluate your options, develop a strategy, and act quickly to protect your safety and dignity.
You Are Not Alone
The Take It Down Act is a turning point. But like any law, it only works if survivors know their rights and have access to legal advocacy. If someone has shared or threatened to share intimate images of you without your consent, you deserve support—and you have options.
At ALM Law, we represent survivors of cyber sexual abuse, revenge porn, deepfake exploitation, and other forms of online misconduct. We take a trauma-informed approach to every case and work across Colorado, Illinois, and New York. We will listen to you, fight for you, and stand beside you every step of the way.
Contact ALM Law today to speak with a trusted cyber harassment attorney and take the next step toward safety, accountability, and justice.