New Service Launched by Protect Privacy AI to Aid Survivors of Image-Based Abuse Under the Take It Down Act
The Take It Down Act has officially come into effect today, promoting a critical shift in how survivors of image-based sexual abuse can seek redress. Under this new federal mandate, online platforms are required to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery within a mere 48 hours of receiving a valid request. Recognizing the challenges faced by survivors in navigating this complex and often overwhelming process, Protect Privacy AI has launched a new service aimed at bridging the gap between these vulnerable individuals and the support they require.
Founded by Dawn Hawkins, who spent countless hours in Congress advocating for these protections alongside survivors, Protect Privacy AI is now positioned as a pivotal resource for both survivors and platforms. The organization’s new offerings include a takedown submission service for individuals who know where their images are hosted, as well as an image scanning function – currently in beta – designed to locate nonconsensual imagery across the vast expanses of the web. Furthermore, in instances where platforms fail to adhere to the 48-hour removal deadline, Protect Privacy AI offers escalation procedures to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), ensuring that survivors have additional backing when facing non-compliance.
Hawkins articulates the urgency of this initiative: "The Take It Down Act gives survivors a right for removal. Our job is to help them use it, and to help the platforms that want to do this well do it well. For those that don't, the FTC has the authority to act, and we will help survivors bring those cases forward." This dual approach not only aims to empower survivors but also assists platforms in compliance, effectively operating as a partner in fostering good faith efforts.
This development comes against the backdrop of a 2025 peer-reviewed study indicating that over 20% of adults have encountered image-based sexual abuse, with individuals under the age of 35 experiencing these violations at a rate twice that of their older counterparts. Jeff Benson, co-founder and president of Protect Privacy AI, emphasizes the limitations of current methodologies in combatting the escalating issue of image-based abuse, especially with the advent of AI-generated imagery contributing to the problem. "The scale of image-based sexual abuse is beyond what any nonprofit, attorney, or survivor can handle with today's tools," he states. "Meeting that scale requires technology built specifically for it."
As Protect Privacy AI launches this robust service, it marks a significant step forward in providing critical support to victims of image-based sexual abuse, ensuring that they have access to the necessary tools and resources to exercise their rights under the Take It Down Act. The organization is dedicated to not just removing harmful content but also preventing re-uploads, fostering a safer online environment for all users.
Individuals seeking further information about Protect Privacy AI and its services can find more details at ProtectPrivacy.ai. As this initiative unfolds, it represents hope and empowerment for survivors, renewing the focus on the urgent need for accountability in the digital realm.