FTC enforces 48-hour takedown rule for nonconsensual intimate images
Covered platforms must remove valid intimate-image abuse reports within 48 hours
Change
FTC began enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act requirement for covered platforms to provide a removal-request process and remove nonconsensual intimate images and known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request.
Why it matters
The enforcement start turns intimate-image abuse takedown handling into a fixed operational deadline for covered platforms. Compliance, moderation and engineering teams must maintain a request process, complete valid takedowns within 48 hours, and account for known identical copies because FTC complaints can now be filed through TakeItDown.ftc.gov.
Implications
- — Covered-platform compliance teams must provide a removal-request process for nonconsensual intimate images by May 19, 2026.
- — Content-moderation and trust-and-safety teams must remove reported intimate images and known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request.
- — Platform legal teams must handle FTC complaints submitted through TakeItDown.ftc.gov when users report failure to provide a process or complete valid takedowns.
Who is affected
- — Covered platform compliance teams
- — Content-moderation and trust-and-safety teams
- — Platform legal teams handling FTC complaints
What to watch
- — Compliance deadline: May 19, 2026
- — 48-hour removal window after a valid request
- — FTC complaint intake through TakeItDown.ftc.gov