“US Politicians Call for Deepfake Laws Amid Taylor Swift Image Controversy”

US politicians are pushing for new legislation to criminalize the creation of deepfake images following the widespread circulation of explicit fake photos featuring Taylor Swift. The manipulated images surfaced on various social media platforms, including X and Telegram, prompting condemnation from Representative Joe Morelle, who deemed the dissemination of the pictures “appalling.”

In response to the controversy, X stated that it is actively removing the images and taking appropriate actions against the accounts responsible for spreading them. The company assured that it is closely monitoring the situation to promptly address any further violations and remove the content.

Despite efforts to remove the images, one photo of Swift reportedly garnered 47 million views before being taken down. Deepfakes, which utilize artificial intelligence to manipulate a person’s face or body in videos, have seen a significant increase, with a 550% rise in the creation of doctored images since 2019, according to a 2023 study.

Notably, there are currently no federal laws in the United States specifically addressing the sharing or creation of deepfake images. However, some states have taken steps to tackle the issue. In the UK, the sharing of deepfake pornography became illegal under the Online Safety Act in 2023.

Representative Joe Morelle, who previously introduced the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, aimed at criminalizing the sharing of deepfake pornography without consent, called for urgent action on the matter. He emphasized that such images and videos can cause irreversible emotional, financial, and reputational harm, disproportionately impacting women.

Democratic Representative Yvette D Clarke highlighted that women have been targeted by deepfake technology for years, noting that advancements in AI have made creating deepfakes easier and more affordable. Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr echoed concerns about the rapid advancement of AI technology, emphasizing the need to establish safeguards against this alarming trend.

While Taylor Swift has not publicly addressed the images, there are reports that her team is considering legal action against the site that published the AI-generated content. The incident adds to growing worries about AI-generated content as billions of people participate in elections globally, with recent concerns raised by a fake robocall claiming to be from US President Joe Biden, believed to have been generated by AI.