Calls to criminalize the practice of using artificial intelligence to create deceptive pornographic content have been reignited due to the rapid proliferation of manipulated pornographic images featuring Taylor Swift, even involving US politicians.
This week, millions of individuals came across digitally altered images of the American pop icon on various social media platforms. One particular image of Swift, previously accessible on the Telegram app through X, garnered 47 views before being removed.
X stated, “Our teams consistently work to eliminate all identified images and take necessary actions against the responsible accounts.”
Yvette D. Clarke, a Democratic representative from New York, expressed on X that the situation involving Taylor Swift is not unprecedented. The unauthorized use of deepfake technology to target individuals has been an ongoing issue, exacerbated by the accessibility and affordability of AI advancements. Clarke emphasized the urgency for bipartisan efforts to address this problem, suggesting that Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, should also play a role in combating this issue.
While some states in the US have enacted their own legislation against deepfakes, there is a growing push for federal intervention. Democratic Senator Joseph Morelle introduced the Protecting Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act in May 2023, aiming to prohibit the dissemination of explicit content without consent. Morelle highlighted the severe emotional, financial, and reputational repercussions such content can have, particularly affecting women.
Referring to the manipulated images of Swift as “physical abuse,” Morelle condemned them on social media. Despite his proposed regulations, they have yet to be enacted into law.
Republican representative Tom Kean Jr. underscored the rapid advancement of AI technology outpacing necessary protective measures. He stressed the importance of implementing safeguards to counter this concerning trend, introducing the AI Labeling Act requiring clear identification of all AI-generated content, including benign applications like chatbots in customer service, and supporting Morelle’s legislation.
Taylor Swift has not publicly addressed the manipulated images. As of the time of publication, her US representatives had not provided a response to requests for comment.
The misuse of deepfake technology extends beyond Swift, with notable figures such as politicians Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as well as artists like Drake and the Weeknd, being targeted with convincingly fabricated video and audio content. Actor Tom Hanks cautioned his followers on Instagram about falling for a falsified dental advertisement featuring his likeness in October 2023.
Notably, deepfake content predominantly targets women in a sexually exploitative manner. A study by DeepTrace Labs in 2019, referenced in proposed US legislation, revealed that 96% of deepfake videos contained non-consensual pornographic material.
The issue has escalated since 2019, with the emergence of AI enabling the creation of highly realistic images through simple text commands. Notably, individuals with significant public profiles, like Scarlett Johansson, have been recurrent victims of fake pornographic content. Johansson lamented the prevalence of such material, acknowledging the challenges of defending oneself against online exploitation.
In response to the escalating concern, the British government amended the Online Safety Bill in December 2022 to outlaw non-consensual deepfake pornography, emphasizing the need to protect women and girls from digital harassment and degradation. Deputy Prime Minister at the time, Dominic Raab, emphasized the importance of empowering law enforcement to prosecute offenders and shield women from such reprehensible acts.
