In an assertive move to combat the proliferation of deepfake nonconsensual intimate imagery online, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell spearheads a bipartisan coalition of 47 attorneys general. They are putting major tech companies under the microscope, pushing for measures to thwart the spread of so-called "deepfakes." This aggressive strategy includes a direct appeal to search engines and payment platforms to increase safeguards and disrupt the financial incentives behind this damaging content.
AG Campbell is determined to aggressively prevent the creation and circulation of deepfakes, a digital epidemic where 98% of the synthetic videos are pornographic fakes, states a recent report. The coalition's communication highlights the inadequacy of current industry efforts, and it details steps like warnings and redirect techniques that can protect the public from such harmful content. Companies are also urged to more rigidly enforce policies against searches related to the creation of deepfake pornography.
Furthermore, payment platforms are not exempt from scrutiny in this matter. The attorneys general coalition is calling for these companies to both identify and eliminate any authorization for payments connected to deepfake content, effectively cutting off a crucial support for those who traffic in these images. “The creation of deepfakes is a grave harm to human decency and dignity, especially among our young people,” AG Campbell recounted, emphasizing the critical need for accountability in this sector for the protection of the commonwealth's residents.
The fight against online threats and exploitation has been a recurring theme in AG Campbell's tenure. Earlier this week, she joined 44 other attorneys general in addressing the risks posed by AI chatbots and their inappropriate interactions with children. Moreover, in September 2023, she endorsed a call for Congress to deeply investigate the potential misuse of AI that could endanger children. AG Campbell's determined stance is clear: to curb both present dangers and preemptively tackle technologies that may to future become damaging forces in the lives of the youth and broader society.
This campaign is an extension of AG Campbell's ongoing commitment to consumer protection online. Assistant Attorney General Kaitlyn Karpenko and Chief Jared Rinehimer of the Attorney General’s Privacy and Responsible Technology Division are leading Massachusetts' efforts in this significant mission. The coalition boasts a wide-ranging support network, including attorneys general from states like Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Utah, totaling an impressive bipartisan gathering from across the United States committed to halting the spread of destructive deepfake content.
