Explicit deepfake images of Taylor Swift have U.S. lawmakers up in arms،
As Taylor Swift becomes the subject of explicit AI-created deepfake images posted on social media, US lawmakers are angry over the fake photos that have been spotted on sites like “X” and Telegram. According to the BBC, one particular fake photo of Swift was viewed 47 million times before it was taken down. Other images have also been removed and on “X”, users cannot search for “Taylor Swift”, “Taylor Swift AI”, and “Taylor AI”.
In addition to removing the images, “X” said it would take “appropriate action” against accounts involved in spreading the deepfakes. The Elon Musk-owned company added: “We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any further violations are immediately corrected and the content is removed. » Currently, no federal law prevents a person from creating or sharing fake images, although at the state level there has been some agitation among local lawmakers.
Now that social media sites have posted fake, explicit photos of Taylor Swift, perhaps the most famous name in the American entertainment industry, politicians on Capitol Hill are getting involved. U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-New York) called the release of the photos “appalling.” A study last year found that the number of falsified photographs increased by 550% compared to 2019 thanks to the growing use of AI.
New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke says this is an issue both sides should work on.
Morelle presented last year the Intimate Image Deepfakes Prevention Act which would make it illegal to share deepfake pornography without consent. The Representative says urgent action is needed now because such images and videos “can cause irrevocable emotional, financial and reputational harm – and unfortunately, women are disproportionately affected.” A report published last year said that pornography makes up the vast majority of AI deepfake images, with women making up 99% of these images.
Another Democratic U.S. Rep. from New York, Yvette Clarke, posted a tweet saying, “What happened to Taylor Swift is nothing new. For years, women have been targets of deepfakes without their consent. And with advances in AI, creating “Deepfakes are easier and cheaper. This is a problem that both sides of the aisle and even Swifties should be able to come together to solve.”
Tom Kean Jr., a Republican congressman from New Jersey, said it is “clear that AI technology is advancing faster than the necessary safeguards. Whether the victim is Taylor Swift or any young person in our country, we need to establish safeguards to combat this.” alarming trend. »
The Twitter account that posted the images was deactivated by the follower as Swift's legal team reportedly pursues legal action against the sites and accounts that posted the deepfake pornographic images.
