Proposed House measure targets AI-generated explicit content

A new House bill aims to criminalize the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit material, including content generated by artificial intelligence tools, and establish a dedicated online portal for quicker removal of such obscene content.

House Bill No. 807, or the “Take It Down Act of 2025,” was filed by Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Representative Robert Nazal, saying that the bill is designed to address the “growing misuse of artificial intelligence,” particularly the creation of fake nude images and pornographic content for “harassment, extortion, or humiliation.”

Nazal stressed that generative AI has “made it easier to create realistic deepfake images and videos” and cited that current Philippine laws do not explicitly criminalize the creation and sharing of AI-generated non-consensual sexually explicit material.

He added that there is “no clear process” for fast removal of offensive content, especially “when the perpetrators are overseas or platforms fail to act.”

Beyond creation and distribution, the bill also criminalizes the possession of non-consensual sexually explicit material, including AI-manipulated content. It further grants extraterritorial jurisdiction, allowing Filipino victims to pursue cases against offenders located abroad.

The Department of Information and and Communications Technology (DICT) would be tasked with establishing a P50-million “Take It Down” portal where victims can file verified takedown requests.

The bill mandates the DICT to process these requests within 24 hours, and platforms would be required to remove flagged content within 48 hours or face fines of up to P1 million per incident.

“Violators face up to 12 years in prison, rising to 20 years if the victim is a minor,” Nazal said. “Victims may also sue for damages, and all proceedings will be kept confidential to protect the victim’s identity.”