AI-Generated Deepfakes Target Congresswomen, Sparking Calls for Legislation

AI-Generated Deepfakes Disproportionately Target Female Politicians

A recent study by the American Sunlight Project (ASP) has uncovered a disturbing trend in the world of artificial intelligence and politics. The research reveals that 1 in 6 congresswomen have been victims of AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the targeting of politicians with this technology 1

1

The study identified more than 35,000 mentions of nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) depicting 26 members of Congress across 11 well-known deepfake websites. Of these, 25 were women and only one was a man, demonstrating that female lawmakers are 70 times more likely to be targeted than their male counterparts 2

2

Impact and Implications

The proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes poses significant risks to women's participation in politics and other forms of civic engagement. Nina Jankowicz, founder of the ASP, emphasized the need to address this new environment where the internet has opened up harms disproportionately targeting women and marginalized communities 1

1

Research shows that 41% of women between the ages of 18 and 29 self-censor to avoid online harassment, which experts warn could have a chilling effect on democracy and free speech 1

1

Legislative Response

In response to this growing threat, several pieces of legislation have been introduced:

1. The DEFIANCE Act, introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aims to enable victims of "digital forgery" to sue deepfake creators 2

   2

   .

2. The TAKE IT DOWN Act, introduced by Senator Ted Cruz, would criminalize nonconsensual intimate imagery and require platforms to remove such material after being notified 3

   3

   .

Both bills have passed the Senate and are awaiting further action in the House 3

3

5

Related Stories

Senate Unanimously Passes DEFIANCE Act to Combat Non-Consensual Deepfake Porn

AI-Generated Deepfake Porn Targets Female Politicians Globally, Threatening Democracy and Women's Participation in Public Life

Congress Passes 'Take It Down Act' to Combat Deepfakes and Revenge Porn

AOC Reintroduces DEFIANCE Act to Combat AI Deepfake Porn

Global Context and Industry Response

The issue of deepfake pornography is not limited to the United States. Governments worldwide are taking steps to address this problem:

• In the UK, legislation was proposed to create a new offense with potentially unlimited fines and jail time for the worst offenders 2

  2

  .
• South Korea is investigating Telegram's role in distributing deepfake pornography 2

  2

  .

After being notified by the ASP, many of the deepfake websites removed the content depicting the affected lawmakers. However, researchers note that such removals do not prevent material from being shared or uploaded again 1

1

As the technology behind AI-generated deepfakes continues to advance, the need for comprehensive legislation and industry cooperation becomes increasingly urgent to protect individuals, particularly women and marginalized communities, from this form of digital abuse.