26 US Members of Congress attacked with nude deepfakes
Occurred: December 2024
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26 members of the US Congress, predominantly female lawmakers, have been targeted with sexually explicit deepfakes, according to new research, highlighting the increasing problem of nonconsensual AI-powered intimate imagery in politics and elsewhere.
What happened
Over 35,000 instances of nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) involving 26 unnamed lawmakers were discovered on deepfake platforms by The American Sunlight Project.
Of those affected, 25 were women, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the victims of this technology.ย
Most of these images were removed after the researchers alerted the lawmakers' offices, but concerns remain about the potential for re-uploading and distribution of the content.
Why it happened
The rise in deepfake pornography is attributed to advancements in AI technology, which has made it increasingly easy to create realistic nonconsensual content in seconds.
The study found that younger members of Congress were disproportionately targeted and concluded that female lawmakers were 70 times more likely to be victims compared to their male counterparts.
The lack of comprehensive regulations around deepfakes exacerbates the issue, allowing perpetrators to exploit the technology with minimal repercussions.
What it means
The situation poses serious implications for women in politics and public life, potentially discouraging their participation due to fears of harassment and reputational damage.
Experts like researcher and writer Nina Jankowicz emphasise that the phenomenon sends a chilling message to women about the consequences of raising their voices in public forums.
Deepfake pornography
Deepfake pornography, or simply fake pornography, is a type of synthetic pornography that is created via altering already-existing photographs or video by applying deepfake technology to the images of the participants.
Source: Wikipedia ๐
System ๐ค
Unknown
Operator:
Developer: ย
Country: USA
Sector: Politics
Purpose: Damage reputation
Technology: Deepfake - image
Issue: Ethics/values; Safety
Research, advocacy ๐งฎ
The American Sunlight Project. Deepfake Pornography Goes to Washington (pdf)
News, commentary, analysis ๐๏ธ
Page info
Type: Incident
Published: December 2024