WASHINGTON, D.C. – in a press release published Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission reported that it “sent warning letters today to a dozen websites advising them of their obligation to comply with the TAKE IT DOWN Act (TIDA),” noting that the Act “requires platforms to give people a way to request the removal of intimate photos or videos shared online without their consent, and to remove the intimate photos or videos within 48 hours of a valid request.”
“Today we’re demonstrating just how serious we are about protecting the public, especially children, from abusive online conduct,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “Platforms no longer have any excuses—they must comply with their obligations under the TAKE IT DOWN Act or face the consequences.”
According to the FTC’s statement, the warning letters were sent to “12 companies that offer so-called ‘nudify’ tools that allow people to take a clothed image of an individual and remove the individual’s clothing to create nonconsensual and sexualized images.”
Judging by the letter template provided in the FTC press release, the warning stipulates the “letter does not reflect a formal determination that you have violated TIDA,” but recipients are “advised to immediately come into compliance with the TAKE IT DOWN Act.”
The letters advised that these companies “appear to be in violation of TIDA by failing to provide individuals with a process through which victims can request the removal of nonconsensual intimate images appearing on their platforms,” FTC said in the statement released Wednesday.
“Staff is monitoring the marketplace for potentially violative acts or practices relating to TIDA and will take additional action as warranted,” the letters added. “Deceptive or unfair acts or practices that violate the FTC Act may be subject to legal action and court injunctions. In addition, covered platforms that violate TIDA may be subject to an FTC enforcement action and civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.”
According to the press release, the FTC “began enforcing the law on May 19.” The statement also noted TIDA was “championed by First Lady Melania Trump and signed into law by President Donald Trump in May 2025.” The Act “gave businesses one year to come into compliance with the law’s requirements,” the release added.
“Chairman Ferguson sent letters last week to major platforms— Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Automattic, Bumble, Discord, Match Group, Meta, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, SmugMug, Snapchat, TikTok and X —reminding businesses of their obligation to comply fully with TIDA,” the Commission added in its statement. “The FTC also issued guidance for businesses about how to ensure they are complying with the law.”
