The **U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)** confirmed Friday the seizure of two websites, **CFAKE.com** and **SOCFAKE.com**, which allegedly distributed nonconsensual AI-generated nude images and videos. This operation is notable as it appears to be the inaugural publicly announced domain seizure under the federal **TAKE IT DOWN Act**. According to the **DOJ**, these sites shared sexually explicit digital forgeries, commonly known as deepfakes, featuring public figures including politicians, celebrities, athletes, musicians, and even royalty from various countries. ### The Nature of Deepfakes A deepfake refers to AI-generated or AI-manipulated media that portrays an individual engaging in actions or appearing in ways that never actually occurred. These fabricated images and videos can be created from existing photos, videos, or audio recordings. They are frequently misused for creating nonconsensual nude content, impersonation scams, phishing attacks, and cryptocurrency fraud. ### Coordinated International Enforcement The seizure of **CFAKE.com** and **SOCFAKE.com** by the **DOJ** and **Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)** on Thursday followed a federal judge's determination of probable cause for violating the **TAKE IT DOWN Act**. The domains now display a seizure notice, indicating a coordinated international law enforcement effort involving the U.S., Italy, and France.  ### The Investigation's Origin The investigation commenced after Italy's **Postal and Cybersecurity Police** alerted U.S. authorities to the illicit activities of these websites. Italian media reports indicate that an inquiry began in October 2025 following complaints about AI-generated sexually explicit images targeting women in politics, sports, entertainment, and other public professions. Italian authorities subsequently obtained a court order to block access to the websites within Italy while continuing their probe. Evidence gathered by U.S. law enforcement was later shared with French authorities. French prosecutors and investigators then conducted their own investigation, which culminated in the arrest of a suspect in Nice, France, on June 10. This operation also led to the seizure of cryptocurrency allegedly linked to the deepfake distribution network. ### The TAKE IT DOWN Act The bipartisan **TAKE IT DOWN Act** was signed into law in May 2025, specifically to combat the proliferation of nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfake pornography. The legislation was notably championed by former First Lady **Melania Trump** as part of her "Be Best" initiative. This law criminalizes the nonconsensual publication of sexually explicit altered images depicting identifiable individuals. It also mandates that online platforms remove reported intimate images and deepfakes within 48 hours of receiving a valid request from a victim. Acting Attorney General **Todd Blanche** stated in the announcement, "These domain seizures mark a significant victory in the fight against deepfake pornography. The **TAKE IT DOWN Act**, championed by First Lady Melania Trump, gives us the tools we need to combat the abuse and exploitation of women and children through these fabricated images." While the law was previously invoked in a case involving an Ohio man who pleaded guilty to charges related to creating AI-generated obscene material, the seizure of **CFAKE.com** and **SOCFAKE.com** represents the first publicly declared application of the act to target websites allegedly used for the distribution of deepfake pornography.