Rep. August Pfluger has voiced support for the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Network (TAKE IT DOWN) Act, which seeks to combat 'revenge pornography' involving both real and AI-generated deepfakes. Pfluger emphasized the need for this legislation due to the prevalence of deepfake pornographic images that affect victims, particularly women and young girls. According to Pfluger, "Big tech will not remain complicit anymore - they will take it down."
Pfluger urged fellow lawmakers to support the bill, stating, "This commonsense legislation is simple and should be a no-brainer to support." He expressed concern over the lack of consistent state-level legislation addressing the issue and highlighted the bipartisan nature of the act, which has already passed the Senate unanimously.
Pfluger, who is on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called for decisive federal guidelines to address the misuse of AI for exploitation. The TAKE IT DOWN Act requires websites to remove non-consensual intimate imagery quickly and criminalizes its publication, while still respecting consensual and constitutionally protected speech.
The bill has gained the support of over 100 organizations and advocacy groups, as well as former President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Pfluger noted the bill's potential to protect "our sisters, our daughters, our wives, and anyone who has been taken advantage of."
In January 2025, Pfluger, along with colleagues, reintroduced the TAKE IT DOWN Act, advocating for its swift passage into law.