In response to the widespread dissemination of explicit deepfake images featuring Taylor Swift on various social media platforms, US politicians are pushing for new legislation criminalizing the creation of such content.
The images, which garnered millions of views on sites like X and Telegram, prompted condemnation from lawmakers, including US Representative Joe Morelle, who characterized the situation as “appalling.”
X, in a statement, asserted its commitment to removing the offending images and taking appropriate actions against the accounts responsible for their dissemination.
The platform emphasized ongoing monitoring to swiftly address any further violations and ensure the removal of objectionable content.
Despite efforts to take down the images, one photo of Swift reportedly amassed 47 million views before removal.
As a response, X has made the name “Taylor Swift” unsearchable on its platform, along with related terms such as “Taylor Swift AI” and “Taylor AI.”
Deepfakes, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate facial and bodily features in videos, have seen a 550% increase since 2019, according to a 2023 study, fueled by the advancements in AI technology.
There are currently no federal laws in the US specifically addressing the creation or sharing of deepfake images. However, at the state level, efforts are underway to tackle the issue.
Democratic Representative Joe Morelle, who previously introduced the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, which targets the sharing of non-consensual deepfake pornography, called for urgent action against the proliferation of such content.
Expressing concern over the emotional, financial, and reputational harm caused by deepfake images, Morelle highlighted the disproportionate impact on women.
A State of Deepfakes report from the previous year revealed that 99% of individuals targeted by deepfake pornography are women.
Democratic Representative Yvette D Clarke, acknowledging the longstanding targeting of women through technology, emphasized the increasing ease and affordability of creating deepfakes with advancements in AI.
Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. echoed this sentiment, recognizing the rapid advancement of AI technology without corresponding safeguards.
While Taylor Swift has not publicly addressed the situation, reports indicate that her team is contemplating legal action against the platform responsible for publishing the AI-generated images.
The incident involving Swift has amplified concerns about AI-generated content as billions participate in global elections, with recent investigations into a fake robocall attributed to AI claiming to be from US President Joe Biden.