How to protect yourself against AI-powered deepfake porn

The rise of artificial intelligence has created unprecedented challenges in combating nonconsensual deepfake pornography, which can victimize anyone regardless of whether they’ve ever taken intimate photos.

Current threat landscape: AI technology has dramatically lowered the barriers to creating and distributing synthetic sexual imagery, putting everyone from celebrities to students at risk of being targeted.

• Deepfake pornography can be generated using ordinary photos, making even those who’ve never taken intimate pictures vulnerable to exploitation
• The technology allows malicious actors to create highly convincing fake intimate content without requiring any actual nude images
• High school students have increasingly become targets, highlighting how this issue affects both public figures and private individuals

Legal framework and challenges: The United States currently lacks comprehensive federal protection against deepfake pornography, though efforts are underway to address this gap.

• A bipartisan bill has been introduced in Congress that would criminalize the publication of nonconsensual deepfake intimate images
• The proposed legislation would also mandate that platforms remove such content when reported
• Current state-level protections vary widely, with some jurisdictions offering no criminal penalties for adult victims

Protective measures and response strategies: Several tools and platforms exist to help victims combat the spread of nonconsensual intimate imagery.

• StopNCII.org and Take It Down provide services to facilitate content removal across multiple platforms
• Major platforms like Google, Meta, and Snapchat have specific forms for reporting and requesting removal of such content
• Legal experts advise victims to capture screenshots as evidence before attempting to have content removed

Expert guidance: Legal professionals emphasize prevention and accountability in addressing this growing problem.

• Attorney Carrie Goldberg stresses the importance of deterring potential offenders rather than placing the burden solely on victims
• Platform-specific reporting mechanisms serve as the first line of defense for content removal
• Documentation of incidents can be crucial for both legal action and platform takedown requests

Looking ahead: The enforcement gap: While technological solutions and legal frameworks continue to evolve, the rapid advancement of AI technology creates an ongoing challenge in protecting individuals from synthetic intimate content abuse, highlighting the need for more robust preventive measures and consistent legal protections across jurisdictions.