Dear Representatives Salazar and Dean,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to voice our support for H.R. 8989, the “Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Network (TAKE IT DOWN) Act.”
Our agencies need clarified and expanded authorities to combat the ever-evolving threat posed by “deepfake” technology which can generate and distribute nude and sexually exploitative images. We have reached a turning point in this regard—where we once had to recognize the dangers of images being circulated without consent online alone, our attention must additionally turn to the distribution of manipulated or entirely faked images generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Unfortunately, AI has increasingly made it difficult to discern between a real or a manufactured image, adding to the trauma experienced by victims.
Your bill would protect victims from harassment, intimidation, and exploitation by holding accountable the individuals who publish or intend to publish non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) as well as requiring websites to remove NCII that have been manipulated or generated by AI. By taking these substantial actions to hold both the individual and medium accountable, the safety and dignity of children and adults can be better safeguarded.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this issue. If I can be of any help or provide additional information in support of this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President