TAKE IT DOWN Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/633
Last Updated: July 26, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

ID: S000168

Follow the money

The bill

TAKE IT DOWN Act

HR. 633, 119th Congress — read as touching Big Tech Platforms.

The sponsor

Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$139,600 raised

23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

70% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Federal Trade Commission" section, p. 908-910 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 59.

April 27, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

✅

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another brilliant piece of legislation from the geniuses in Congress. The TAKE IT DOWN Act, or "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes On Websites and Networks Act" (because who needs a simple title?). Let's dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill aims to prevent the nonconsensual sharing of intimate visual depictions, including deepfakes. Sounds noble, but we all know it's just a PR stunt to make politicians look like they care about online harassment. The real goal is to create a new regulatory framework that will inevitably be exploited by special interest groups.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include a new section on intentional disclosure of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions. It defines "consent" (because, apparently, Congress needs to explain what that means), digital forgery, and identifiable individuals. The law prohibits publishing intimate visual depictions without consent, with exceptions for law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and medical purposes.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: social media platforms, online service providers, and anyone who's ever taken a selfie. Oh, and the politicians who sponsored this bill will likely receive campaign contributions from tech companies and advocacy groups.

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

* This law will create a new bureaucratic nightmare for online platforms, which will inevitably lead to censorship and over-compliance. * The exceptions for law enforcement and intelligence agencies are ripe for abuse. Expect more surveillance and data collection under the guise of "protecting" citizens. * The medical exception is a Trojan horse for pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers to exploit patient data. * This bill does nothing to address the root causes of online harassment, such as societal misogyny and toxic masculinity. It's just a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.

In conclusion, the TAKE IT DOWN Act is a classic case of legislative theater. It's a feel-good bill that won't actually solve the problem but will create new ones. Politicians get to pretend they care about online safety, while special interest groups reap the benefits. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left with more regulations, censorship, and data exploitation. Just another day in the swamp that is Washington D.C.

Diagnosis: Legislative myopia, symptoms include: grandstanding, bureaucratic overreach, and a healthy dose of ignorance about technology and human nature. Treatment: a strong dose of skepticism and critical thinking. Prognosis: poor.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$139,600
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$7,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$132,000

No PAC contributions found

1
POARCH BANK OF CREEK INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
2 transactions
$13,200
2
DIAZ-OLIVER, REMEDIOS MRS.
1 transaction
$6,600
3
FALIC, JANA
1 transaction
$6,600
4
MENDOZA GOMEZ, ROSSY A.
1 transaction
$6,600
5
WEEKLEY, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
6
BARQUET, ROY
1 transaction
$6,600
7
PETERFFY, THOMAS
1 transaction
$6,600
8
ALVAREZ, MAXIMO MR.
1 transaction
$6,600
9
AMIN DAES, CARLOS E.
1 transaction
$6,600
10
AMIN, SAMIR
1 transaction
$6,600
11
DAES, CRISTIAN TADEO MR. JR.
1 transaction
$6,600
12
DAES PEREZ, EVELYN I.
1 transaction
$6,600
13
LOPEZ-CANTERA, AMADA MRS.
1 transaction
$6,600
14
CASCANTE, MARIA
1 transaction
$6,600
15
ALLEN, ROBERT N. MR. JR.
1 transaction
$6,600
16
CAMERON, RONALD
1 transaction
$6,600
17
VANDERSLOOT, BELINDA
1 transaction
$6,600
18
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
1 transaction
$6,600
19
DERICK, AMY DR.
1 transaction
$6,600

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

ID: D000631

Top Contributors

20

1
LEVIN, CARYL
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualELKINS PARK, PA
$5,000
Nov 3, 2024
2
LINDY, ALAN
LINDY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
IndividualAMBLER, PA
$3,500
Oct 28, 2024
3
BECKER, DEBBIE M
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualWYNNEWOOD, PA
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
4
BECKER, WILLIAM P.
BECKER & FRONDORF • RETIRED
IndividualWYNNEWOOD, PA
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
5
KRAUSZ, STEVEN
US VENTURE PARTNERS • VENTURE CAPITAL
IndividualPORTOLA VALLEY, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
ERICKSEN, EUGENE P
SELF • STATISTICIAN
IndividualPHILADELPHIA, PA
$3,300
Jul 1, 2023
7
FINK, WILLIAM
SELF • CPA
IndividualDOWNINGTOWN, PA
$3,300
Aug 4, 2023
8
LINDY, FRANK
LINDY COMMUNITIES • REAL ESTATE
IndividualELKINS PARK, PA
$3,300
Jul 25, 2023
9
MILLER, LESLIE ANNE ESQ.
SELF EMPLOYED • ATTORNEY
IndividualBRYN MAWR, PA
$3,300
Aug 24, 2023
10
SCATTONE, FRANCESCO
RENAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES • FINANCE
IndividualWYNDMOOR, PA
$3,300
Jul 27, 2023

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

ID: P000048

Top Contributors

23

1
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Apr 18, 2024
2
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
3
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Sep 27, 2024
4
DIMEMMO, COLETTE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualFORT MYERS, FL
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
5
PUDWILL, JAMES
IndividualNIPOMO, CA
$6,600
Sep 16, 2024
6
GELBMAN, JOEL
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Sep 16, 2024
7
GELBMAN, JOEL
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Aug 26, 2024
8
PUDWILL, JAMES
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNIPOMO, CA
$6,600
Aug 3, 2024
9
WILSON, CELIA R
OIL AND GAS • SELF-EMPLOYED
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$5,800
Mar 31, 2024
10
WILSON, CELIA R
SELF • OIL AND GAS
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$5,800
Apr 9, 2024

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

ID: D000624

Top Contributors

23

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDORR, MI
$3,300
Dec 13, 2023
2
NOTTAWASEPPI HURON BAND OF THE POTAWATOMI
OrganizationFULTON, MI
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDORR, MI
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024
4
FORD, CYNTHIA
NA • CIVIC PHILANTHROPIST
IndividualGROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI
$3,300
Oct 14, 2024
5
FORD, EDSEL B. II
FORD MOTOR COMPANY • CONSULTANT
IndividualGROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI
$3,300
Oct 14, 2024
6
MEIJER, HENDRIK
MEIJER, INC. • EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
IndividualGRAND RAPIDS, MI
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
7
CARTER ALTMAN, LYNDA
SELF EMPLOYED • MUSICIAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 6, 2023
8
DEBBANE, RAYMOND
THE INVUS GROUP • CEO
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
9
FARES, NIJAD
LINK • INVESTOR
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 30, 2023
10
III, WILLIAM H. GATES
BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY & BILL & MELINDA G • PHILANTHROPIST
IndividualREDMOND, WA
$3,300
Oct 19, 2023

Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]

ID: B001260

Top Contributors

20

1
RICHARDS, CHRISTINE
CVP • CUST/BUS TRANS
IndividualBARTLETT, TN
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
2
RICHARDS, DANIEL
DR. CONSULTING • CPA
IndividualBARTLETT, TN
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
3
GARCIA, MARIO
EMSI - TAMPA • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
4
BENJAMIN, STEPHEN
VALIDUS SENIOR LIVING • CEO
IndividualODESSA, FL
$3,300
Nov 10, 2023
5
GARCIA, IVIS
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
6
GARCIA, MARIO
EMSI - TAMPA • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
7
GARCIA, IVIS
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
8
JOHNSON, TRAVIS
1607 STRATEGIES • FOUNDER
IndividualARLINGTON, VA
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
9
COPELAND, GERRET
TERREG MANAGEMENT LLC • CEO
IndividualSARASOTA, FL
$3,300
Feb 7, 2023
10
COPELAND, KYM
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualSARASOTA, FL
$3,300
Feb 7, 2023

Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]

ID: P000610

Top Contributors

21

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$1,000
Sep 20, 2024
2
DOWNS, PAUL RICHARD
TYCHEROS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT • CEO
IndividualCHRISTIANSTED, VI
$6,600
Apr 18, 2023
3
DOWNS, PAUL RICHARD
IndividualCHRISTIANSTED, VI
$6,600
Apr 23, 2023
4
WELTERS, ANTHONY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
5
HOLT, JOEL H.
SELF EMPLOYED • LAWYER
IndividualCHRISTIANSTED, VI
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
6
HOLT, JACQUELINE L.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCHRISTIANSTED, VI
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
7
HENRY, SUDAFI
THEGROUP • ATTORNEY
IndividualTAKOMA PARK, MD
$3,300
Jan 18, 2024
8
THOMPSON, DARREL
THEGROUP • CONSULTANT
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jan 18, 2024
9
SKURNIK, MICHAEL
SELF • WHOLESALE WINE DISTRIBUTORS
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Apr 10, 2023
10
SKURNIK, MICHAEL
SELF • WHOLESALE WINE DISTRIBUTORS
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Apr 10, 2023

Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]

ID: D000594

Top Contributors

23

1
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$3,300
Aug 29, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,300
Aug 29, 2024
3
ALABAMA- COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Oct 16, 2024
4
ADKINS, JAMES
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHUNTINGTON, WV
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
5
MOUSSEAU, RAYMOND
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCROSWELL, MI
$6,600
Jun 2, 2024
6
DILAMANI, EDWARD
AGC • BUSINESSMAN
IndividualGREAT NECK, NY
$6,600
Jul 8, 2024
7
EMIG, SUELLEN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualFREEDOM, PA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2024
8
STEWART, FORREST
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualDESOTO, IL
$6,534
Feb 13, 2024
9
SPECHT, VIVIAN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualLYMAN, NE
$5,940
Aug 7, 2024
10
CERDA, JULIO
S TEXAS INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP • PARTNER
IndividualMISSION, TX
$5,000
Oct 25, 2024

Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

ID: C001059

Top Contributors

28

1
TABLE MOUNTAIN RANCHERIA
OrganizationFRIANT, CA
$3,300
Oct 30, 2023
2
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
3
JJF SP TRUST
OrganizationSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
4
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER RANCH
OrganizationFRESNO, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
5
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,000
Jul 31, 2023
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Sep 8, 2023
7
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
May 19, 2023
8
CHAPPELL-MCLULLAR TRUST
OrganizationHONOLULU, HI
$500
Mar 2, 2024
9
ARK, MANDEEP
SELF EMPLOYED • INTERPRETER
IndividualFRESNO, CA
$6,500
Aug 14, 2024
10
AFZAL, TEHMINA
SELF EMPLOYED • INTERPRETER
IndividualCHINO HILLS, CA
$6,500
Aug 14, 2024

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

ID: S000522

Top Contributors

21

1
WALL REPUBLICAN CLUB
OrganizationWALL, NJ
$1,100
Mar 5, 2023
2
CLAYTON, WILLIAM MR.
RALPH CLAYTON & SONS • OWNER
IndividualBRIELLE, NJ
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
3
DUNCAN, JAN L. MRS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
4
HARRIS, MARY ELLEN MRS.
HARRIS FRC CORPORATION • CEO
IndividualHOLMDEL, NJ
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
5
KOLBER, GEORGE MR.
KOLBER PROPERTIES • OWNER
IndividualRUMSON, NJ
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
6
OBERHELMAN, DIANE MRS.
CULLINAN PROPERTIES • CHAIRMAN
IndividualEDWARDS, IL
$3,300
Dec 6, 2024
7
HOLMES, WILLIAM MR.
SELF • OIL & GAS
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
8
HOLMES, WILLIAM MR.
SELF • OIL & GAS
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
9
DEANGELIS, MARK MR.
SELF • FINANCE
IndividualHOLMDEL, NJ
$3,300
Sep 25, 2023
10
ADJMI, HARRY MR.
ONE STEP UP LTD • CEO
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023

Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

ID: L000590

Top Contributors

30

1
EMILY'S LIST
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$250
Feb 13, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2023
4
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$3,000
Dec 31, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 5, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
May 9, 2024
7
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$1,500
Jun 30, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 28, 2023
9
RENO SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
OrganizationRENO, NV
$1,000
Jun 21, 2024
10
BRONZE CAFE
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$550
Mar 30, 2023

Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

ID: K000389

Top Contributors

21

1
1850 WILLIAMS INVESTORS LLC
OrganizationALAMO, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
SIRHAN, MOTASIM
ELIXIR • EXECUTIVE
IndividualMILPITAS, CA
$13,200
Jan 3, 2024
3
PAPIER, SUSAN
WERBA RUBIN PAPIER WEALTH MANAGEMENT • EXECUTIVE
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$13,200
Mar 29, 2024
4
CLEMENS, NICOLE
PARAMOUNT GLOBAL • EXECUTIVE
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$13,200
Mar 30, 2024
5
PAPIER, JASON
WERBA RUBIN PAPIER WEALTH MANAGEMENT • EXECUTIVE
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$13,200
Mar 29, 2024
6
COGEN, JACK
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$13,200
May 15, 2024
7
CLEMENS, NICOLE
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$12,200
Mar 31, 2024
8
YOUNIS, QASAR
APPLIED INTUITION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024
9
PAPIER, SUSAN
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024
10
PAPIER, JASON
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 50 nodes and 58 connections

Total contributions: $58

Top Donors - Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs19 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 harmed.

  • −Big Tech Platformsconfidence 0.90

    Section 3(a)(3) requires covered platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate visual depictions within 48 hours of a valid request, imposing operational costs and liability risks on platforms that host user-generated content, such as social media and video-sharing services.

  • −Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.70

    Section 4(b)(3)(B)(i) excludes broadband internet access service providers from the definition of 'covered platform,' but the bill's notice-and-takedown requirements may still affect telecom companies that also operate content-hosting platforms (e.g., AT&T's Warner Bros. Discovery, Verizon's Yahoo), creating compliance burdens.

  • Section 4(b)(3)(B) excludes online services consisting primarily of preselected content (not user-generated) from 'covered platform' definition, but news outlets with user comment sections or forums may still fall under the rule, requiring them to implement takedown processes for nonconsensual intimate depictions posted by users.

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Federal Trade Commission

Moderate
Vector: 65%
Pages: 908-910AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the TAKE IT DOWN Act and the Project 2025 FTC policy aim to protect vulnerable individuals—particularly children—from online harms and impose greater responsibility on digital platforms, though the bill focuses on nonconsensual intimate imagery while the policy emphasizes contractual and data‑collection practices affecting minors."

Key themes:online child protectionplatform accountabilitymental health harmsconsent requirementsnonconsensual content

— 875 — Federal Trade Commission Protecting Children Online. The FTC has long protected children in a variety of different contexts. Internet platforms profit from obtaining information from children without parents’ knowledge or consent—and social media’s effect on the well-being of American children is well-documented. Around 2012, American teens experienced a dramatic decline in wellness. Depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and suicide all increased sharply among U.S. adolescents between 2011 and 2019,16 with similar trends worldwide.17 The increase occurred at the same time that social media use moved from rare to ubiquitous among teens,18 making social media a prime suspect for the sudden rise in mental health issues among teens. In addition, excessive social media use is strongly linked to mental health issues among individuals. Several studies strongly support the notion that social media use is a cause, not just a correlation, of subjective well-being and poor mental health.19 Social media and other large platforms form millions of contracts every year with American children. And even though a minor can void most contracts into which he or she enters, most jurisdictions have laws that hold minors accountable for the benefits received under the contract. Thus, children can make enforceable contracts for which parents could end up bearing responsibility. Targeting chil- dren to create potentially harmful contracts or making parents responsible for such contractual relationships is an unfair trade practice. The FTC, therefore, has the authority, interest, and duty to protect children online from such contractual relationships. l The FTC should examine platforms’ advertising and contract- making with children as a deceptive or unfair trade practice, perhaps requiring written parental consent. Currently, the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)20 regulates the information internet firms can obtain from children. COPPA fails because it (1) only protects children under the age of 13, leaving older teenagers completely unprotected and (2) only prohibits platforms from collecting information from a child using “actual knowledge” rather than abiding by the “constructive knowledge” standard, which prohibits collecting information from a user reasonably assumed to be underage. The FTC has rulemaking authority under this statute but has done little with this authority, nor can it—given the statutory constraints. However, l The FTC can and should institute unfair trade practices proceedings against entities that enter into contracts with children without parental consent. Personal parental responsibility is, of course, key, but the law must respect, not undermine, lawful parental authority.

Federal Trade Commission

Moderate
Vector: 64%
Pages: 908-910AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TAKE IT DOWN Act addresses nonconsensual distribution of intimate visual depictions, which can affect minors and relates to online harms, aligning broadly with Project 2025's concern about children's well-being online. However, the bill focuses on exploitation and privacy violations rather than the specific contractual and advertising practices targeted by the FTC in the Project 2025 policy."

Key themes:child protectiononline harmssocial mediamental healthdigital exploitation

— 875 — Federal Trade Commission Protecting Children Online. The FTC has long protected children in a variety of different contexts. Internet platforms profit from obtaining information from children without parents’ knowledge or consent—and social media’s effect on the well-being of American children is well-documented. Around 2012, American teens experienced a dramatic decline in wellness. Depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and suicide all increased sharply among U.S. adolescents between 2011 and 2019,16 with similar trends worldwide.17 The increase occurred at the same time that social media use moved from rare to ubiquitous among teens,18 making social media a prime suspect for the sudden rise in mental health issues among teens. In addition, excessive social media use is strongly linked to mental health issues among individuals. Several studies strongly support the notion that social media use is a cause, not just a correlation, of subjective well-being and poor mental health.19 Social media and other large platforms form millions of contracts every year with American children. And even though a minor can void most contracts into which he or she enters, most jurisdictions have laws that hold minors accountable for the benefits received under the contract. Thus, children can make enforceable contracts for which parents could end up bearing responsibility. Targeting chil- dren to create potentially harmful contracts or making parents responsible for such contractual relationships is an unfair trade practice. The FTC, therefore, has the authority, interest, and duty to protect children online from such contractual relationships. l The FTC should examine platforms’ advertising and contract- making with children as a deceptive or unfair trade practice, perhaps requiring written parental consent. Currently, the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)20 regulates the information internet firms can obtain from children. COPPA fails because it (1) only protects children under the age of 13, leaving older teenagers completely unprotected and (2) only prohibits platforms from collecting information from a child using “actual knowledge” rather than abiding by the “constructive knowledge” standard, which prohibits collecting information from a user reasonably assumed to be underage. The FTC has rulemaking authority under this statute but has done little with this authority, nor can it—given the statutory constraints. However, l The FTC can and should institute unfair trade practices proceedings against entities that enter into contracts with children without parental consent. Personal parental responsibility is, of course, key, but the law must respect, not undermine, lawful parental authority. — 876 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Other conservatives are more skeptical concerning the effect of online expe- rience on the young, comparing the concern about social media to concern about video games, television, and bicycle safety. They point out, as does Cato fellow Jeffrey A. Singer, that the psychiatric profession has yet to designate “internet addiction” or “social media addiction” as a mental disorder in the authoritative Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).21 These con- servatives also maintain that calling for regulation undermines conservatives’ calls for parental empowerment on education or vaccines as well as personal parenting responsibility. In addition, some of the methods used to regulate children’s internet access pose the risk of unintended harms. For instance, age verification regulations would inevitably increase the amount of data collection involved, increasing privacy con- cerns. Users would have to submit to platforms proof of their age, which raises the risks of data breach or illegitimate data usage by the platforms or bad actors. Limited-government conservatives would prefer the FTC play an educational role instead. That might include best practices or educational programs to empower parents online. Antitrust Enforcement. As is evidenced by a relentless focus on bringing Big Tech lawsuits, state attorneys general (AGs) are far more responsive to their con- stituents than is the FTC. Such a “boots on the ground” approach would benefit the FTC enormously. Practically, this would mean establishing a distinct role in the FTC Chairman’s office focused on state AG cooperation and inviting state AGs to Washington, D.C., to discuss enforcement policy in key sectors under the FTC’s jurisdiction: Big Tech, hospital mergers, supermarket mergers, and so forth. FTC regional offices are substantially more in touch with local issues. Over the past few decades, the reach and influence of regional offices has shrunk dramati- cally. The FTC should consider returning authority to these offices. Some conservatives however are less supportive of this idea. Conservative enthusiasm for the idea of adding regional FTC offices to the states is a break from the majority conservative position. Endorsing the federal government as a pre- mier job creator runs counter to decades of conservative opinion that holds that New Deal agencies and subsequent government bodies should never have been created in the first place, and that their red tape and interference is a dominant cause of economic inefficiency. Republicans used to seethe when Democrats tried to move federal offices into the states. In the early 1990s, House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich fumed about Senator Robert Byrd’s campaign to transfer certain national intelligence facilities to West Virginia, calling it a “pure abuse of power.” Some contributors to this chapter would remind conservatives that the unseen mechanics of redistribution—by which taxpayer money paid to state employees is taken from taxpayers nationwide—is a drag on the economy of the entire country. Many conservatives fear that it would be impossible to uproot or even prune back

Federal Communications Commission

Moderate
Vector: 61%
Pages: 882-884AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TAKE IT DOWN Act aligns with Project 2025's focus on reforming Section 230 and increasing accountability for online platforms, particularly regarding harmful content. Both emphasize platform responsibility and user protection, though the bill does not explicitly address political speech discrimination or consumer empowerment tools as highlighted in the policy."

Key themes:Section 230 reformplatform accountabilityonline safetycontent moderationconsumer protection

— 849 — Federal Communications Commission Big Tech, and it should look to Section 230 and the Consolidated Reporting Act as potential sources of authority.19 In acting, the FCC could require these platforms to provide greater specificity regarding their terms of service, and it could hold them accountable by prohibiting actions that are inconsistent with those plain and particular terms. Within this framework, Big Tech should be required to offer a transparent appeals process that allows for the challenging of pretextual takedowns or other actions that violate clear rules of the road. l Support legislation that scraps Section 230’s current approach. The FCC should work with Congress on more fundamental Section 230 reforms that go beyond interpreting its current terms. Congress should do so by ensuring that Internet companies no longer have carte blanche to censor protected speech while maintaining their Section 230 protections. As part of those reforms, the FCC should work with Congress to ensure that antidiscrimination provisions are applied to Big Tech—including “back-end” companies that provide hosting services and DDoS protection. Reforms that prohibit discrimination against core political viewpoints are one way to do this and would track the approach taken in a social media law passed in Texas, which was upheld on appeal in late 2022 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.20 In all of this, Congress can make certain points clear. It could focus legislation on dominant, general-use platforms rather than specialized ones. This could include excluding comment sections in online publications, specialized message boards, or communities within larger platforms that self-moderate. Similarly, Congress could legislate in a way that does not require any platform to host illegal content; child pornography; terrorist speech; and indecent, profane, or similar categories of speech that Congress has previously carved out. l Support efforts to empower consumers. The FCC and Congress should work together to formulate rules that empower consumers. Section 230 itself codifies “user control” as an express policy goal and encourages Internet platforms to provide tools that will “empower” users to engage in their own content moderation. As Congress takes up reforms, it should therefore be mindful of how we can return to Internet users the power to control their online experiences. One idea is to empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any. The FCC should also work with Congress to ensure stronger protections against young children accessing social media sites despite age restrictions that generally prohibit their use of these sites.

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About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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