FTC starts enforcing 48-hour takedown rules for deepfake abuse
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has begun enforcement of Section 3 of the "Take It Down Act," which mandates covered online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery, including deepfakes, within 48 hours of a valid request. The Act, signed into law a year prior, requires platforms to implement clear notice and removal processes and be prepared to demonstrate compliance, with violations potentially incurring civil penalties of $53,088 per infringement.
Key Takeaways
- Covered platforms must remove nonconsensual intimate images, plus known identical copies, within 48 hours of a valid request.
- The law covers “digital forgeries” created or altered with software, an app, or artificial intelligence.
- Platforms in scope include social media, messaging, and image or video sharing apps and websites.
- FTC violations can bring civil penalties of $53,088 per violation.
- The FTC launched TakeItDown.ftc.gov for complaints about platforms that fail to comply.
Why It Matters
For streaming and video platforms, the immediate requirement is operational: valid requests for nonconsensual intimate imagery now trigger a 48-hour takedown clock, including identical copies. The FTC says covered services must also maintain a clear removal process and be ready to demonstrate compliance, which puts moderation, trust-and-safety, and recordkeeping workflows directly in scope. The broader ecosystem signal is that the rule reaches apps and websites handling real or AI-altered images and videos, not just traditional social platforms. Watch for whether platforms expose a confirmation or report number for each request, as the FTC specifically cited that as a compliance example.
Read full article at ftc.gov