The circulation of explicit deepfake images featuring Taylor Swift online has prompted US lawmakers to demand the enactment of fresh legislation criminalizing the creation of such content.

These fabricated photos of the pop superstar garnered millions of views on social media platforms, including X and Telegram.

US Representative Joe Morelle expressed his dismay at the widespread dissemination of these images, describing it as “appalling.”

The circulation of false images of Taylor Swift are alarming. We know that incidences like this disproportionately impact women and girls. @POTUS is committed to ensuring we reduce the risk of fake AI images through executive action. The work to find real solutions will continue. pic.twitter.com/IOIl9ntKtP

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) January 26, 2024

In response, X declared that it was actively removing the content and taking appropriate measures against the accounts responsible for its propagation.

The platform emphasized its commitment to monitoring the situation to promptly address any further violations and ensure the removal of the content.

47 million views

While many of the deepfake images appear to have been taken down, one image of Swift reportedly garnered 47 million views before it was removed.

Deepfakes employ artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate a person’s face or body, creating deceptive videos or images.

A study conducted in 2023 revealed a staggering 550% increase in the production of manipulated images since 2019, largely due to advancements in AI technology.

Presently, there are no federal laws in place to regulate the sharing or creation of deepfake content in the United States. However, certain states have initiated efforts to address this issue.

In the UK, the sharing of deepfake pornography was criminalised as part of the 2023 Online Safety Act.

Democratic Representative Morelle, who previously introduced the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, called for immediate action, highlighting that these images and videos could inflict irrevocable emotional, financial, and reputational damage, with women disproportionately affected.

Deepfake pornography comprises the vast majority of such content online, with the State of Deepfakes report from the previous year indicating that women constitute 99% of the targets.

Democratic Representative Yvette D Clarke underscored that women have been subject to this technology’s targeting for years, and with advancements in AI, deepfake creation has become more accessible and affordable.

Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. echoed the sentiment, stressing the need to establish safeguards against this concerning trend.

No Swift response

As for Taylor Swift, she has not publicly addressed the deepfake images, but the Daily Mail reported that her team is considering legal action against the website responsible for publishing the AI-generated content.

Worries about AI-generated content have escalated, especially as billions of people participate in global elections this year.

Recently, a fake robocall purportedly from US President Joe Biden, believed to be generated by AI, triggered an investigation, raising further concerns about the misuse of advanced technology.