A recent case highlights the alarming issue of deepfake po*nography. A young woman was shocked to discover that a video link from a friend led to a ponographic site. The video featured her face but not her body, leaving her distressed and speechless. She immediately reported the incident to the police. This incident underscores the growing problem of deepfake technology, which is increasingly being used to create explicit content featuring individuals without their consent.
Prevalence of Deepfake Po*nography
According to a report by Business Insider, 96% of deepfake videos are ponographic in nature. In January 2024, a ponographic site displayed deepfake videos of Taylor Swift, utilizing her photos to produce explicit content. A particularly concerning aspect of this issue is that AI-generated pon is frequently targeting children. The creation and distribution of child ponography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), is a severe crime with harsh penalties for both producers and consumers. Unfortunately, some individuals are exploiting AI to engage in these criminal activities.
Deepfakes and Children’s Photos
The use of deepfakes involving children’s photos on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as on po*nographic websites, is highly troubling. Cloud storage services are also being exploited for creating CSAM. These platforms often lack adequate Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, allowing users with only a Gmail account to store inappropriate content. Pedophiles are utilizing these tools to generate explicit videos featuring children’s images through deepfakes.
Misuse of Obscene Apps
Reports indicate an increase in the use of ‘clothes-off’ apps, which depict individuals in photos without clothing, though these images are fabricated. Such apps show someone else’s body and make it appear as though it belongs to the person in the photo. This misuse has led to perverts deriving pleasure from these apps, some of whom are blackmailing victims or posting such images on the dark web.
The Impact of Deepfake Technology
Deepfake po*nography involves altering the faces of individuals in sexual content to represent others. These videos and images can appear highly realistic. Modern algorithms and machine learning techniques are employed in their creation. While this technology has the potential for positive applications, its predominant use on the dark web for explicit content is alarming. The Sensity AI website reports that 90% of deepfake technology is utilized for po*nographic purposes, highlighting the urgent need for regulation and oversight.
AI and Voice Manipulation
The rapid advancement of AI technology presents both opportunities and risks. Recent developments include the ability to fake voices, as demonstrated by a deepfake using Virat Kohli’s voice to make false statements about Shubman Gill. AI can now create fake images, videos, and voices, even fabricating non-existent people and places. While beneficial uses of AI are possible, the creation of fake explicit content and misleading news can negatively impact society. It is imperative for governments to address the misuse of this technology and for individuals to remain vigilant against such abuses.