Deepfake porn epidemic sparks calls for accountability from Google & Microsoft

In recent years, the production of nonconsensual deepfake pornography has seen a dramatic surge, with the number of AI-generated videos increasing ninefold since 2019, according to independent analyst, Genevieve Oh. These videos, often featuring the faces of celebrities and internet personalities, have received a staggering 3.8 billion views across 30 sites in May 2023. This troubling trend has raised concerns about the lack of legal accountability in the United States and the emotional and economic damage inflicted on victims.

Moreover, certain websites provide collections of deepfake content where celebrities like Emma Watson or Taylor Swift have their faces superimposed onto explicit videos. Additionally, some platforms cater to paying customers, allowing them to create nude imagery of acquaintances like classmates or colleagues.

Tech giants' involvement & activist pressure

Several major technology companies, including Google, Amazon, Cloudflare, and Microsoft, have inadvertently played a role in the proliferation of deepfake porn. Google, in particular, is the primary source of traffic to many deepfake websites. Activists and tech policy experts are now urging these companies to take responsibility for their role in enabling the deepfake industry. They are calling for stricter measures, including delisting and de-platforming deepfake content, as well as pressuring social media networks to curb its spread.

Growing calls for accountability

Activists and legal experts are also focusing on the developers and platforms that provide tools for creating deepfake content. They argue that these tech companies should explicitly prohibit the use of their technology for creating nonconsensual deepfake materials. Furthermore, they are targeting payment processors like PayPal and credit card companies, pressuring them to disallow payments for deepfake content and nudifying tools.