With Congress nearing the end of its session, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is making a last-minute effort to pass a bill criminalizing AI-generated revenge porn.
The Bill and Its Support
The proposal, S.4569, targets deepfakes that superimpose individuals' faces onto pornographic content without consent. Websites and social media platforms will be required to remove such content within 48 hours of notification by the victim. The bill is bipartisan, co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, and unanimously passed the Senate on December 3. Attention now shifts to the House of Representatives.
Victims and Tech Companies Speak Out
Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old whose AI-altered image spread on Snapchat, shared her nightmare story. The content was removed only after intervention by Senator Cruz's office. Her story isn't unique, and tech companies are beginning to back Cruz's legislation. Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok are among the supporters. Senator Amy Klobuchar emphasizes the urgency of acting now.
An Unignorable Problem
AI advancements have simplified creating deepfake images, leading to a surge in pornographic content. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged 4,700 cases of AI-generated child sexual abuse material this year. Such content affects not just children but also celebrities and ordinary people, turning social media users into victims.
With rising technological threats like AI-generated pornography, Congress faces a choice between taking action and allowing the deepfake crisis to continue.
