Taylor Lorenz’s Power User The Take It Down Act Is a Free Speech Killer
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May 23, 2025 Becca Branum, Deputy Director of the Center for Democracy and Technology's Free Expression Project, tackles the controversial Take It Down Act. She explains how the law, intended to combat revenge p**n, could actually threaten free speech by allowing anyone to remove unwanted content online without verification. The discussion highlights the law's flaws, its potential to silence marginalized voices, and the chilling effects it could have on online expression. Branum warns against the dangers of censorship disguised as protection.
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Law Easily Weaponized for Censorship
- The law could enable bad actors to remove unwanted content by falsely claiming it as NCII.
- There is a significant risk of weaponizing the takedown processes to silence criticism.
Broad Impact on Internet Platforms
- Platforms like Wikipedia and encrypted messaging services like Signal could be forced to comply with takedown requests under this law.
- This creates tension with encryption privacy and broad internet infrastructure, potentially harming security.
FTC Control Threatens Fair Enforcement
- The FTC enforces the law but is currently politically influenced and lacks independence.
- This risks uneven enforcement that could favor platforms close to the administration.
