The passing of the Take It Down Act marks a critical milestone in the United States’ response to non-consensual intimate image abuse (NCII), a rapidly escalating form of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) that disproportionately affects women and girls. Long overlooked by legislation, this form of abuse has now been recognised as a federal crime—signalling a sea change in how survivors are protected and supported.
At StopNCII.org, we welcome this long-overdue development. As a global leader in the prevention of intimate image abuse, we view this legislation as both a legal breakthrough and a strategic call to action for the technology sector. Our platform offers practical, privacy-preserving solutions that complement the legal obligations now enshrined in U.S. law.
A Landmark Law for Survivors
The Take It Down Act introduces a 48-hour takedown requirement, mandating platforms to swiftly remove non-consensual intimate content upon notification. This move affirms survivors' right to prompt redress and shifts responsibility onto platforms to act with urgency and accountability.
Importantly, the Act establishes not only criminal penalties for intimate image abuse but also complements earlier measures, including the 2022 reauthorisation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which introduced civil penalties for similar offences. Together, these laws represent a more holistic framework for justice, finally offering survivors multiple avenues for recourse—criminal, civil, and technological.
Plan International USA rightly applauds the Act as a turning point in how society values online safety, noting its powerful symbolic and practical effects. As Plan states, "Image-based abuse (whether AI-generated or authentic) is now federally recognised as a crime." This momentous shift underscores the urgency of industry reform.
This legislative development also aligns with growing international recognition of image-based abuse as a digital rights issue. Countries such as the UK, Australia, South Korea, and Canada have enacted similar measures, reinforcing a global commitment to user safety and platform accountability.
How StopNCII.org Can Help Platforms Meet Their Obligations
While legislation provides the foundation, implementation will define its success. Many platforms currently lack the necessary tools or expertise to identify and prevent NCII effectively. That’s where StopNCII.org comes in.
StopNCII.org enables individuals to create a hash, a secure, digital fingerprint of their intimate image or video, without ever uploading the actual content. These hashes are then shared with participating platforms, allowing them to block the image if an upload is attempted. This offers an upstream, preventative approach that aligns directly with the goals of the Take It Down Act.
Why Companies Must Act Now
Online platforms (regardless of size) now face clear regulatory expectations. StopNCII.org offers a ready-to-implement solution that supports organisations, minimises legal exposure, and affirms a company’s commitment to user safety. Participating platforms benefit from:
Privacy-first prevention: A proven, victim-led tool that protects images without sharing them.
Regulatory alignment: A mechanism to reduce the risk of hosting NCII and can support companies to act on 48-hour takedown requirements.
Global collaboration: Membership in a growing alliance of companies committed to shared standards for safety and dignity online.
Policy Implementation Must Match Legislative Progress
The law is only as strong as the systems that uphold it. Following its enactment, implementation will fall to the Federal Trade Commission, Congress, and tech companies alike. Stakeholders must:
Expand survivor services: Sustained funding is needed for specialist helplines.
Equip law enforcement: Training and capacity-building for prosecutors and cybercrime units are essential.
Advance additional legislation: Measures such as the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act will help fortify protections for children and young people.
Building a Safer Internet
This moment calls for bold action and strategic collaboration. Technology companies have one year to prepare for full implementation of the Take It Down Act, but the time to act is now. As Plan International urges, platforms must:
Invest in survivor-centred, technology-based solutions like StopNCII.org and TakeItDown.ncmec.org.
Streamline their response processes and be transparent with users.
Adopt responsible AI policies to prevent the misuse of models for generating synthetic intimate imagery.
Join StopNCII.org and Be Part of the Solution
The Take It Down Act is more than a legal mandate, it’s a moral imperative. For survivors, it affirms their right for dignity and control. For platforms, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to lead with integrity.
We call on all tech companies to opt in to StopNCII.org. By doing so, you align with global best practice, support a scalable, privacy-preserving solution, and send a powerful message: that safety, justice, and respect are non-negotiable.
Contact us at: joinstopncii@swgfl.org.uk
Learn more: www.stopncii.org
Together, we can make the internet safer, one image at a time.
