America’s ‘Take It Down Act’ hailed as a step in the right direction

Cybercrime and Da Vinci Forensics CEO, Sharon Knowles, says the United State’s newly signed bill which will criminalize revenge porn is a step in the right direction, as far too many people mostly women have fallen victim to it.

Knowles says revenge porn exposes the other person to reputational damage, and humiliation.

Her remarks come after US President Donald Trump, ratified the what has been dubbed the ‘Take It Down Act” which will criminalize the non-consensual publication of intimate images including deepfake and revenge porn.

Websites that fail to remove the images/videos within 48 hours could face criminal penalties such as prison, fines, or both.

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Trump says women who usually fall victim to their images being used through deepfakes will also be protected.

“Countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will. This is … wrong, and it’s just so wrong,”

US first lady Melania Trump has also thrown her weight behind it, saying it’s a national victory that will help parents and families protect children from online exploitation.
 

🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump has just signed Melania Trump’s TAKE IT DOWN Act into law

He even had Melania sign it too.

The bill requires big tech platforms to delete revenge p*rn within 48 hours, and requires JAIL TIME for perpetrators.

Many children around the country have… pic.twitter.com/E8CjWohNmO

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 19, 2025

Knowles says with technology advancing at the speed of light, cyber criminals are using it as means to cause harm.

“AI can now generate fake but realistic-looking nude images or videos of someone, often without their knowledge.
These fakes are being used for revenge, harassment, blackmail, or even entertainment.

“By criminalising this behavior and forcing platforms to act fast, the U.S. is showing that it takes the issue seriously.

“However, as with any law, it won’t be easy to enforce. Some websites are slow to take action or are hosted in countries with weaker laws. There’s also the risk of people abusing the law to take down content that they simply don’t like.

“Many people around the world have struggled to get explicit videos or images taken down from adult websites like Pornhub – even when those videos were uploaded without consent,” said Knowles.

Last year, the case of social media influencer, Gcinile Twala, made headlines after her ex-fiancé, forex trader and Instagram influencer, Themba aka Grootman Selahle, allegedly shared an intimate video of them.

This incident reignited the calls for tighter laws to protect victims of revenge porn.

In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Films and Publications Amendment Act into law, making revenge porn illegal in the country.

According to the legislation, the non-consensual distribution of private sexual content is a serious crime that is punishable with a fine of up to R300,000.

The offender can also be sentenced up to four years in prison.

Knowles says the South African Cybercrimes Act also includes AI-generated content.

However, she’s reflected on why South Africa could benefit from a law like the “Take It Down Act.”

Clearer rules for platforms: So they know what must be removed and how quickly.
Better support for victims: With a standard process to report abuse and get content taken down fast.
Accountability for AI misuse: So, people who use deepfake tech to harm others are held responsible.
More public awareness: So individuals, especially teenagers and young adults, understand their rights and the dangers of sharing or manipulating images.