The FTC began enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act on May 19, 2026, a law requiring covered platforms to establish a process for victims to request removal of nonconsensual intimate images and delete such content within 48 hours of a valid request. The agency launched a consumer complaint portal, issued compliance guidance for businesses and consumers, and sent reminder letters to major platforms including Meta, TikTok, and X about their obligations under the law. No specific penalties or enforcement actions against individual companies were announced in this release.
Covered platforms must create a publicly accessible process for victims to request removal of nonconsensual intimate images, remove such images and known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request, and comply with all TAKE IT DOWN Act requirements. The FTC will accept consumer complaints about noncompliant platforms via its TakeItDown.ftc.gov portal.
In-house legal teams at social media, technology, and online platform companies should review user agreements, content moderation vendor contracts, and cloud storage agreements for compliance with the TAKE IT DOWN Act. Key clauses to update include user image consent terms, content takedown procedures, and service-level agreements requiring vendors to remove nonconsensual intimate images and identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request. Teams should also add specific provisions to protect minors’ intimate images, align contracts with FTC compliance guidance, and ensure all agreements include a clear, accessible process for users to submit removal requests.
Entity
Covered Platforms
Industry
Social Media"FTC Begins Enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act"
"May 19, 2026"
"Federal Trade Commission"
"began enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act"
"covered platforms"
"TAKE IT DOWN Act"
The FTC filed a complaint against Credit Glory LLC and related entities for deceptive credit repair practices, including false promises, impersonating debt collectors, charging illegal upfront fees, and using negative option billing without consent. A federal court temporarily halted the operation.
The FTC issued a policy statement abandoning disparate-impact liability, stating it will no longer bring claims based on this theory. It also modified compliance obligations for several companies based on past decisions.
The FTC, along with Utah and California, filed a complaint against Hims & Hers alleging the telehealth provider shared consumers' sensitive health information with third-party advertising platforms without consent, and deceived consumers about billing and cancellation practices. The complaint alleges violations of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
$300K
The FTC alleged that Elite Events and Tickets LLC, doing business as Smart Scalpers, violated the Better Online Ticket Sales Act by circumventing security measures to bypass ticket purchase limits for over 2,400 events, reselling tickets at a profit. The proposed order requires payment of $300,000 (with a total penalty of $10.7 million partially suspended) and permanently prohibits the company and its owners from engaging in such circumvention tactics.
$45.9M
The FTC permanently banned Dennise Merdjanian from the debt relief industry and telemarketing after she and Superior Servicing LLC allegedly ran a student loan forgiveness scam that took more than $45.9 million from consumers. The proposed stipulated order imposes a partially suspended monetary judgment and resolves the FTC's litigation against the remaining defendants.
$16.5M
The FTC charged the founders of Celsius Network with deceiving consumers by falsely promising that cryptocurrency deposits were safe and always available. The founders agreed to pay $16.5 million and are banned from marketing or selling products that can be used to deposit or withdraw assets, among other restrictions.