AI-Created ‘Deepfake Porn’ Is A Threat, New Jersey Lawmakers Say

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Two New Jersey lawmakers who represent towns in Essex County are finding common ground in the battle against computer-generated “deepfake pornography.”

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat from the state’s 11th Congressional district, and New Jersey Sen. Kristin Corrado, a Republican from the 40th Legislative district, are each backing bills on the federal and state levels that push back against a troubling new trend: using artificial intelligence to create “revenge porn.”

On Wednesday, Sherrill announced that she has singed on as a co-sponsor for the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act. If it becomes law, the federal bill would outlaw the nonconsensual creation and sharing of intimate photos known as “deepfakes,” which are digitally-generated with the aid of artificial intelligence or other technology.

Sherrill said she is taking action on the issue in response to reports about students at Westfield High School, who have been accused of making and sharing deepfakes of their female classmates.

• See Related: AI Made Porn Of Westfield HS Students Prompts Investigation
• See Related: NJ Mom, Daughter Push For Change After AI Porn Spread At School

“As a mother of four school-aged children, I am horrified to see how artificial intelligence was weaponized to bully and humiliate students at Westfield High School,” the former federal prosecutor said.

“Today, I am standing in support of the Mani family by demanding federal action to ensure that this type of attack doesn’t affect any more of our nation’s children,” she added.

Sherrill represents towns in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, including Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange and West Caldwell.

‘REVENGE PORN’ BAN PROPOSED IN NJ

Last year, Sen. Corrado introduced a proposed state law that would outlaw deepfake pornography and impose criminal and civil penalties for “non-consensual disclosure” of photographs, films and videotapes.

The non-consensual sharing of deepfake pornography would be a crime of the third degree, the same as for revenge porn under the state’s invasion of privacy statute.

Meanwhile, the legislation would treat the distribution, possession, or storage of deepfake pornography that depicts a child the same as child pornography, which can be a crime of the first degree or of the second degree depending on the number of files involved.

The rise of artificial intelligence is giving new life to an old problem, Corrado charged.

“We’ve made great strides in recent years in our efforts to stop the proliferation of revenge porn and the non-consensual sharing of intimate photos and videos online,” she said. “Unfortunately, some bad actors are getting around the revenge porn law by using new AI tools to generate pornography that appears to be the targeted victim.”

Deepfake porn can be produced using non-intimate photos of the victim, which may be available on a social media account. These images can then be manipulated to produce a new image – which still bears the victim’s likeness.

And yes, sharing deepfake porn is just as devastating for the victim as the “real thing,” Corrado added.

“Deepfake pornography is often used to humiliate and destroy the reputations and careers of victims, and it’s a dangerous tool that domestic abusers can use to exert control,” Corrado said.

When it involves younger victims, there are additional risks to consider, the senator continued.

“When kids use deepfakes to bully other kids, it can lead to suicide,” Corrado said. “When adults share deepfake porn depicting children, it can encourage others to victimize kids in more dangerous ways.”

“Given the rapid rise of AI, deepfake pornography is an emerging threat that we need to address – today,” Corrado added.

Corrado represents towns in Essex, Bergen and Passaic counties, including Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell.

• See Related: AI Revenge Porn Ban Proposed In New Jersey

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