ISTANBUL 

The US House of Representatives late Monday passed a law requiring online platforms to swiftly take down nonconsensual intimate images, sending the bipartisan legislation to the White House for US President Donald Trump to sign.

The Take It Down Act, one of the first major pieces of tech-related legislation to clear Congress, establishes criminal penalties for individuals who share such nonconsensual content, Axios reported.

Under the law, violators could face fines and prison time, while tech companies that fail to comply could be sued by the Federal Trade Commission for engaging in unfair or deceptive business practices.

The measure passed the House with overwhelming support with a vote of 409-2, following unanimous approval in the Senate in February.

The bill’s approval marks a significant victory for its primary Republican sponsors, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Maria Salazar, as well as Democratic co-sponsors Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Madeleine Dean.

It also represents a success for the White House, with President Trump spotlighting the legislation in his first address to Congress and first lady Melania Trump actively advocating for its passage on Capitol Hill.

The measure has garnered broad support from dozens of tech nonprofits, and advocacy organizations.

However, some civil society groups and cybersecurity specialists cautioned against enacting the bill, arguing that it could result in intrusive content surveillance and potentially violate constitutional free speech protections.