City Attorney sues most-visited websites that create nonconsensual deepfake pornography.
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| San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. Image: sfcityattorney |
San Francisco, USA, August 17, 2024:
San Francisco is leading the charge against the burgeoning and harmful business of AI-generated deepfake technology. City Attorney David Chiu has filed a lawsuit against 16 popular websites that utilize AI to create non-consensual nude images of women and children
The lawsuit alleges that these sites violate federal laws against revenge pornography, deepfake pornography, and child pornography. Additionally, the city argues that these platforms engage in unfair competition by prioritizing profits over the severe harm inflicted on victims.
The scale of the issue is alarming. Over 200 million visits to these sites in just six months underscore the widespread problem. The creation and dissemination of these fake, nude images have been linked to bullying, threats, and humiliation of countless women and girls.
A particularly disturbing example cited in the lawsuit involves a California middle school where AI-generated nude images of 16 eighth-grade students were circulated. This incident highlights the devastating impact of this technology on young people.
The lawsuit against these AI-driven platforms is a significant step in addressing the growing threat of deepfakes. It comes as policymakers and lawmakers grapple with the rapid advancements in AI and its potential for misuse. The US Copyright Office's recent report on digital replicas and the introduction of the NO FAKES Act in the Senate demonstrate the increasing recognition of the urgent need for legislation to protect individuals from non-consensual AI manipulation.
As technology continues to evolve, it is imperative that legal frameworks keep pace to safeguard individuals from the harms of deepfake technology. San Francisco's lawsuit is a crucial step in this direction.