Tue Jan 07 05:50:33 UTC 2025: ## AI Deepfakes Target Female Politicians Globally

**Washington, D.C. – January 7, 2025** – A disturbing global trend is emerging: female politicians are increasingly becoming victims of AI-generated deepfake pornography and sexualized images. Researchers warn this threatens women’s participation in public life, with the proliferation of readily available AI tools outpacing global efforts to regulate the technology.

The American Sunlight Project (ASP) recently revealed that over 35,000 instances of deepfake content depicting 26 members of Congress, 25 of whom are women, were found on pornographic websites. Nearly one in six female members of Congress have been targeted. While ASP did not publicly name the victims to prevent further harassment, they notified their offices. Similar incidents have been reported in the UK, Italy, and Pakistan.

In the UK, a Channel 4 investigation uncovered a website targeting over 30 female politicians with AI-generated nude images. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is suing two men for creating and distributing deepfake porn videos of her. In Pakistan, several female lawmakers have been victims of deepfakes used to damage their reputations, including one instance where a video falsely depicted a lawmaker in an immoral act.

This surge in AI-enhanced pornography, experts say, creates a “cottage industry” where readily available apps allow users to easily manipulate images and generate deepfakes. The ease of creation, combined with the lack of robust global regulation, makes this a significant threat.

While some countries, like a handful of U.S. states, have passed laws addressing this issue, others, including Pakistan, lack legislation to combat sexualized deepfakes. The UK has pledged to ban the creation of deepfakes, but a firm timetable remains unclear. The ASP’s findings also highlight a disparity in how quickly deepfake content can be removed, with prominent figures like Congresswomen experiencing a rapid response compared to the likely challenges faced by women without similar resources.

This issue extends beyond high-profile individuals. Experts warn that women outside the public eye are equally vulnerable. The ease of creating and disseminating these deepfakes poses a significant threat to women’s political participation and underlines the urgent need for comprehensive global regulation.

Read More