Social Media Platform X Blocks Searches for Taylor Swift Amid Deepfake Concerns
In a bid to curb the circulation of sexually explicit deepfakes featuring pop sensation Taylor Swift, social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter, has taken the unprecedented step of blocking searches for the singer’s name. This move sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by online platforms in tackling the proliferation of manipulated content.
“This is a temporary action and done with an abundance of caution as we prioritize safety on this issue,” stated Joe Benarroch, head of business operations at X, in an email to TIME on Sunday. As of the time of reporting, attempts to search for Taylor Swift’s name on X yielded no results.
The decision to block searches came after X’s Safety account on the platform issued a statement declaring a strict prohibition on non-consensual nudity, with a “zero-tolerance policy towards such content.” The platform’s teams have been actively removing identified images and taking appropriate actions against the accounts responsible for posting them. The aim is to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all users.
While X’s actions address the immediate concerns surrounding the circulation of Swift deepfakes, they also highlight the broader issue of AI-generated pornography. Deepfakes involve superimposing an individual’s face onto explicit imagery without their consent, posing serious privacy and security risks. According to media analyst Sensity, a staggering 96% of all deepfakes online in 2019 were nonconsensual pornography, predominantly targeting women.
In response to questions from reporters, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the role of social media companies in enforcing their own rules to prevent the spread of such harmful content. While some states have enacted laws criminalizing deepfakes, federal legislation remains lacking. Efforts are underway in Congress to address this gap, with proposed bills like the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act and the DEEPFAKES Accountability Act seeking to provide legal recourse to victims and protect against national security threats.
The introduction of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications (No AI Fraud) Act further underscores the need for comprehensive legislation to safeguard individuals from AI-manipulated content. President Joe Biden has also taken action by issuing an executive order on governing generative AI and establishing a task force to combat online harassment.
As the debate over deepfakes continues, it is evident that a coordinated effort involving both legislative measures and platform policies is necessary to address the complex challenges posed by manipulated content in the digital age.
