A brave teenager who fell victim to nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes is taking a stand. Teaming up with Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., they are pushing for a bipartisan bill that would make sharing such content a federal crime.
Last year, Morelle introduced the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act. Although the bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, no further action has been taken. This legislation seeks to criminalize the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes and provide victims with the right to sue creators and distributors while remaining anonymous.
Nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes have become increasingly prevalent, driven by the availability of tools to create such content and websites dedicated to sharing and profiting from it. Currently, deepfake victims in the United States are protected by a patchwork of state laws, but there is no federal law specifically addressing this issue.
Since the introduction of the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, numerous victims have come forward, including Francesca Mani, a high school student from New Jersey, who spoke at a recent news conference. Mani revealed that on October 20th, her school administration informed her that male classmates had created and shared sexually explicit deepfakes of her and over 30 other girls. While she has never seen the images and was told that they were destroyed, the experience left her feeling sad and helpless.
“This issue is pretty black and white,” said Mani. “No kid, teen, or woman should ever have to experience what I went through. I felt sad and powerless.”
Determined to bring about change, Mani stated, “I’m here, standing up and shouting for change, fighting for laws so no one else has to feel as lost and powerless as I did on Oct. 20th. The glaring lack of laws speaks volumes.”
Morelle emphasized the magnitude of the problem, stating, “Deepfakes are happening every single day to women everywhere. This isn’t just celebrities. This is everyday people all over the United States.”
After learning about the incident at Mani’s high school, Rep. Tom Kean, R.-N.J., became the first Republican co-sponsor of Morelle’s bill. Kean also introduced the AI Labeling Act of 2023, which requires generative AI tools to include clear and conspicuous disclosures on AI-generated content, including text from AI chatbots.
The lack of legislative action concerning deepfakes has raised concerns about the potential impact on the 2024 election cycle. Mary Anne Franks, a legal expert specializing in nonconsensual intimate imagery, who helped inform the bill, pointed out that deepfakes have already targeted female politicians.
“For women and girls, the AI threat is not around the corner. It is here,” warned Franks during the news conference.
Source: F5mag.com