House passes bill aimed at protecting victims of deepfake and revenge porn

CNN - Apr 28th, 2025
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The US House of Representatives has passed the 'Take It Down' Act, a significant legislative effort designed to protect Americans from deepfake and revenge pornography. This bill, which strengthens protections for victims of non-consensual sharing of intimate images, including AI-generated content, now awaits President Donald Trump's signature. The act received strong bipartisan support, with notable figures such as First Lady Melania Trump advocating for its passage. She emphasized the detrimental impact of malicious online content on young people, particularly girls, and underscored the need for safe online environments. The bill, introduced by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and supported by Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Madeleine Dean, aims to criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery and mandates that platforms have procedures to remove such content upon notification by victims.

The passage of this legislation marks a pivotal step in addressing the growing concern over digital exploitation and the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating harmful content. In a digital age where online interactions are ubiquitous, the act's implications are profound, potentially setting a precedent for future laws targeting digital safety and privacy. By aligning with her 'Be Best' platform, Melania Trump's involvement highlights a continued commitment to digital safety, reflecting broader societal and legislative efforts to combat online harassment and exploitation. This move could pave the way for more comprehensive federal regulations on digital content, significantly impacting social media platforms and other online entities required to adapt to these new legal standards.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a mostly accurate and timely account of the passage of the 'Take It Down' Act, highlighting its bipartisan support and legislative process. It successfully captures public interest by addressing the pressing issue of digital privacy and online safety. However, the article's accuracy is slightly undermined by the incorrect mention of Donald Trump as the current president and the lack of direct quotes from primary sources. The story maintains a clear and neutral tone, making it accessible to a general audience, but it could benefit from greater transparency and inclusion of diverse perspectives to enhance its balance and engagement. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about a significant legislative development while leaving room for improvement in source quality and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the passage of the 'Take It Down' Act by the US House of Representatives, including key details such as the bill's purpose to combat deepfake and revenge pornography. The article correctly identifies the bill's sponsors and bipartisan support, reflecting the actual legislative process. However, the article incorrectly states that the bill is going to President Donald Trump for signature, which is factually inaccurate since he is no longer the president. Additionally, while the article mentions Melania Trump's advocacy, it lacks direct quotes from verified sources. Overall, the story presents a mostly accurate depiction of the legislative event, with minor inaccuracies that could mislead readers about current political figures.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the legislative success of the 'Take It Down' Act and the bipartisan support it received. It highlights the roles of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, providing a balanced view of the political collaboration involved. However, the article does not address potential criticisms or concerns regarding the bill, such as privacy issues or freedom of speech implications. By omitting these perspectives, the article leans towards a positive portrayal without exploring potential drawbacks or controversies associated with the legislation.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the key points of the story. It uses straightforward language and maintains a neutral tone, making the information accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of outdated political figures without clarification could confuse readers who are not up-to-date with current events. Overall, the article effectively communicates the main ideas but could benefit from clearer context regarding current political figures.

6
Source quality

The article references statements from well-known political figures and mentions the involvement of lawmakers, which lends credibility to the report. However, it lacks direct citations from primary sources, such as official statements or press releases, which would strengthen the reliability of the information presented. The absence of diverse sources or expert opinions on the implications of the bill slightly diminishes the overall source quality.

5
Transparency

The article provides a basic overview of the bill's objectives and the legislative process but lacks transparency in terms of the sources of information and the methodology used to gather facts. It does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the reporting. Greater transparency could be achieved by citing specific documents or providing links to official legislative texts and statements from involved parties.

Sources

  1. https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=1BA55562-2EC5-40E2-A000-162A6825B1CB
  2. https://19thnews.org/2025/04/take-it-down-act-house-passes/
  3. https://www.commerce.senate.gov/index.php/2025/2/cruz-klobuchar-bill-to-protect-teenagers-from-deepfake-revenge-porn-unanimously-passes-the-senate
  4. https://abc3340.com/news/connect-to-congress/melania-trump-backed-revenge-porn-bill-passes-house-heads-to-presidents-desk-take-it-down-act