US FTC sends compliance letters to Amazon, Alphabet, Apple over new intimate image removal law
The FTC is reminding major tech companies like Amazon, Alphabet, and Apple of their obligations under the new Take It Down Act to remove nonconsensual intimate images.Summary
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent compliance letters to major tech companies, including Amazon, Alphabet, and Apple, regarding the new Take It Down Act. This federal law, effective May 19, 2025, requires platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of a valid takedown request, with penalties of up to $43,792 per offense. The FTC's letters, also sent to Meta and Microsoft, aim to ensure these companies understand and adhere to their legal obligations. Beyond this, the FTC has also warned these firms against weakening U.S. consumer data security or censoring American speech to comply with foreign regulations, such as the EU's Digital Services Act. Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson emphasized that companies should not engage in deceptive practices harming American consumers. While the immediate financial risk from the Take It Down Act is modest for large tech firms, the law applies to any platform hosting user-generated content, including social media, cloud storage, and messaging apps.
(Source：Crypto Briefing)