The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warning letters to 12 unnamed websites that offer “nudify” tools, alleging noncompliance with the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act (TIDA). This move underscores the growing regulatory focus on platforms that fail to adequately address the removal of nonconsensual intimate images (NCII) within the stipulated 48-hour window. These controversial tools can digitally remove clothing from images, creating sexualized photos without consent, a practice increasingly scrutinized under federal law.
The FTC’s action, covered in JURIST, highlights the enforcement of TIDA, a legislation enacted in May 2025, giving platforms a year to ensure compliance. Since May 19, 2026, the FTC has been actively pursuing enforcement, emphasizing the serious implications of failing to offer victims a mechanism to request the removal of NCII. If these platforms do not comply immediately, they face potential civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson has been vocal about the Commission’s commitment to protecting the public, particularly minors, from such abusive online conduct. He emphasized that platforms “no longer have any excuses” and must adhere to the TAKE IT DOWN Act’s stipulations or confront legal consequences.
In parallel with the recent enforcement actions, the FTC has launched a dedicated portal at takeitdown.ftc.gov, allowing victims to report platforms that fail to process removal requests. This initiative aims to streamline the complaint process and facilitate more rapid enforcement of the regulations.
The recent warnings follow earlier letters to major technology companies such as Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft, reinforcing the broad applicability of TIDA and the emphasis on compliance across the technology sector. The FTC did not disclose the identities of the 12 websites addressed, and no statements from these companies were immediately available, although heightened scrutiny and potential formal enforcement actions loom over them.
The FTC’s ongoing vigilance and proactive enforcement of TIDA illustrate a significant regulatory effort to curb the misuse of advanced digital tools that compromise personal privacy and exploit individuals through technology-driven abuses.