A real-life example of the devastating impact of nonconsensual deepfake videos has spurred a bipartisan effort to criminalize the sharing of such material at the federal level. Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., introduced the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act in an effort to protect victims and hold creators and distributors accountable. Joining forces with Morelle, a brave teenage victim of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes, Francesca Mani, spoke out about her own traumatic experience and advocated for the passage of this bill.
Deepfakes, which use AI to superimpose individuals’ faces onto explicit images or videos, have become increasingly prevalent with the accessibility of tools to create and share such content. Currently, victims in the United States are subject to a fragmented set of state laws, with no federal legislation specifically addressing deepfakes.
Since the introduction of the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, more victims have come forward to share their stories, highlighting the urgent need for legal protections. Mani, a high school student from New Jersey, disclosed that sexually explicit deepfakes had been created and distributed without her consent, along with dozens of other girls at her school. The lack of laws and regulations surrounding deepfakes has left victims like Mani feeling helpless and violated.
Congressman Morelle emphasized the significance of the issue, pointing out that deepfakes occur daily to women across the country, not just celebrities. The involvement of Republican Congressman Tom Kean, R.-N.J., as a co-sponsor of the bill demonstrates bipartisan recognition of the urgency to address this problem.
In addition to the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, Congressman Kean introduced the AI Labeling Act of 2023, which would require clear disclosures for AI-generated content. This measure aims to provide more transparency in the digital landscape and protect individuals from unknowingly interacting with AI-generated text or media.
The delay in enacting legislation surrounding deepfakes has raised concerns about the potential impact on future elections. Mary Anne Franks, a legal expert specializing in nonconsensual intimate imagery and an advisor on the bill, has warned that female politicians have already been targets of deepfake videos. This highlights the immediate need to address this issue to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes.
The powerful testimonies of deepfake victims like Francesca Mani illustrate the severe emotional and psychological consequences of nonconsensual deepfake videos. The collaboration between lawmakers and victims serves as a rallying cry for change and underscores the necessity of comprehensive legislation to protect individuals from the growing threat of deepfakes.
The source of the article is from the blog oinegro.com.br