The incident has highlighted the growing issue of deepfake pornography, which almost exclusively targets women. The images originated from a Telegram chat dedicated to creating nonconsensual explicit images of women using AI. Despite this type of content violating Microsoft policy, users have found ways to bypass safety tools. The case has also drawn attention to the need for legislation to criminalize nonconsensual deepfakes, with some progress being made in Virginia and a proposed DEEPFAKES Accountability Act.
Key takeaways:
- A nonconsensual deepfake porn video of Taylor Swift went viral, sparking outrage among her fans who are now working to make such content difficult to find online.
- Swift's fans, known as Swifties, have been reported to be organizing campaigns to bury the AI-generated content, with some even encouraging doxing of the users who circulated the deepfakes.
- Research from cybersecurity firm Deeptrace indicates that about 96% of deepfakes are pornographic, almost exclusively targeting and harming women, with the phenomenon even reaching schools where underage girls have been targeted.
- Legislative efforts are being made to criminalize nonconsensual deepfakes, with Virginia banning deepfake revenge porn and Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY) reintroducing the DEEPFAKES Accountability Act.