Washington: The US House of Representatives has passed a significant piece of legislation requiring online platforms to swiftly remove nonconsensual intimate images. This bipartisan bill, known as the Take It Down Act, is now headed to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law.

According to Anadolu Agency, the legislation, which is among the first major tech-related bills to clear Congress, imposes criminal penalties on individuals who share nonconsensual intimate content. It also allows the Federal Trade Commission to sue tech companies that fail to comply, accusing them of engaging in unfair or deceptive business practices.

The House approved the measure with overwhelming support, voting 409-2, following the Senate's unanimous approval in February. This marks a significant victory for the bill's primary Republican sponsors, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Maria Salazar, along with Democratic co-sponsors Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Madeleine Dean.

The bill's passage is also a triumph for the White House, with President Trump highlighting the legislation in his first address to Congress. First Lady Melania Trump has also been actively advocating for its passage on Capitol Hill. The measure has received broad support from numerous tech nonprofits and advocacy organizations.

However, the bill has faced criticism from some civil society groups and cybersecurity specialists, who warn that it could lead to intrusive content surveillance and potentially infringe upon constitutional free speech protections.