FTC Warns 12 Nudify Tool Firms Over 48-Hour Takedown Rule
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 20
FTC Warns 12 Nudify Tool Firms Over 48-Hour Takedown Rule
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 20
Twelve companies offering AI "nudify" tools received FTC warning letters on Wednesday, with the agency saying they appear to violate the TAKE IT DOWN Act by lacking a takedown request process.
The law, which took effect Tuesday, bans distribution of nonconsensual intimate imagery including explicit deepfakes and requires platforms to remove flagged content within 48 hours.
Last week, the FTC also sent compliance reminders to Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and other tech companies, stressing their duty to maintain notice-and-removal systems for such material.
The agency has launched a complaint website for victims, signaling early enforcement of a law signed by President Donald Trump last year.
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48-Hour Takedown: FTC Targets AI "Nudify" Tools Under TAKE IT DOWN Act to Combat Nonconsensual Intimate Imagery
Overview
On May 20, 2026, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took swift action under the new TAKE IT DOWN Act by sending warning letters to a dozen websites offering 'nudify' tools, which use AI to create nonconsensual intimate images. This marked the start of an immediate crackdown on such harmful content. The Act requires online platforms to provide clear ways for victims to request removal of intimate photos or AI-generated forgeries, and mandates that these images be taken down within 48 hours of a valid request. These steps show the FTC’s commitment to protecting individuals from digital exploitation.