FTC Prepares to Enforce Take It Down Act Against Deepfakes
Summary
The FTC says it is preparing to enforce the Take It Down Act: beginning in May, platforms must remove reported sexual deepfakes within 48 hours. The article also covers the law’s first guilty plea and FTC concerns about AI-enabled voice-cloning scams.
Key points
- FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson said the agency is preparing for robust enforcement of the Take It Down Act.
- Starting in May, platforms must remove reported sexual deepfakes within 48 hours or face possible FTC investigation and enforcement.
- Commissioner Mark Meador said the FTC cannot act against a company under the takedown provision until formal complaints begin in May.
- The DOJ secured the law’s first conviction when James Strahler pleaded guilty in a case involving AI-generated deepfake nudes targeting at least six women; he has not been sentenced.
- The FTC has identified child online safety as a key concern and is exploring ways to protect children under the law.
- FTC officials say AI is increasing scam sophistication; the FBI reported that voice-cloning scams impersonating distressed family members had cost Americans nearly $900 million.
Article Details
- Event Type
- The FTC is preparing to enforce the Take It Down Act’s requirements for removing nonconsensual sexual deepfakes and is examining AI-enabled scams.
- Impact
- Beginning in May, websites receiving qualifying takedown notices will have 48 hours to remove reported sexual deepfakes or risk FTC investigation and enforcement. The FTC is also considering how to address AI-enabled scams, including voice-cloning fraud. The article reports that James Strahler pleaded guilty to using AI-generated deepfake images in a harassment campaign; he has not yet been sentenced.
People
Andrew FergusonFTC Chair who told lawmakers the agency was preparing for robust enforcement of the Take It Down Act and discussed AI’s role in scams.Casey WaughnPrivacy lawyer who discussed possible application of the Act to child online safety and recommended guidance to help organizations comply with takedown requests.Maggie HassanSenator who wrote to four AI voice-cloning companies asking about their policies and programs to prevent or deter fraud.Mark MeadorFTC Commissioner who described enforcement of the Act’s takedown provision as a priority and said the agency would need to receive formal complaints before taking action against companies.
Threat Actors
Vendors
ElevenLabsSenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.LOVOSenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.SpeechifySenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.VEEDSenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.xAIremove sexual deepfakes within 48 hours, the agency is preparing to target noncompliant companies such as xAI’s Grok while prioritizing protections for children.
Products
ElevenLabsSenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.Groksexual deepfakes within 48 hours, the agency is preparing to target noncompliant companies such as xAI’s Grok while prioritizing protections for children.LOVOSenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.SpeechifySenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.VEEDSenator Maggie Hassan wrote to four AI voice cloning companies – ElevenLabs, LOVO, Speechify and VEED – asking what policies and programs they had in place to prevent or deter fraud enabled by their tools.