Sen. Mike Lee Seeks Taylor Swift’s Support for PROTECT Act to Combat Harmful Deepfake Images
Utah Senator Mike Lee has reached out to Taylor Swift for her support on a legislation he plans to reintroduce in order to combat harmful deepfake images. This comes after Swift became a victim of pornography generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Lee, who plans to reintroduce the PROTECT (Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property) Act, aims to establish measures to better protect individuals against the spread of non-consensual and abusive AI-generated content.
The PROTECT Act includes provisions that would require pornography websites to verify the age of all participants in pornographic images. Additionally, sites would have to obtain verified consent forms from both individuals uploading content and those appearing in the uploaded content. The legislation would also mandate that websites promptly remove images that have been uploaded without consent upon receiving notice.
Swift has reportedly expressed her fury over the AI-generated images and is said to be considering taking legal action. The Daily Mail quoted a source close to the singer stating that the fake AI-generated images are abusive, offensive, exploitative, and done without Taylor’s consent and/or knowledge. It is reported that she is considering her legal options.
Senator Lee has now appealed directly to Swift, taking to social media to express his desire for her support. He mentioned that he has legislation in place to help expedite the removal of harmful deepfake images and to establish a legal recourse for individuals to sue companies that fail to address these issues. Lee’s announcement came alongside comments from Victoria Galy, a survivor and advocate against image-based sexual abuse, who stressed the urgent need for federal protection against online abuse, including edited and deepfake content.
The PROTECT Act, if passed, would bring the United States in line with other countries that have implemented similar legislation to safeguard victims of online image-based sexual abuse. Lee’s press release highlights the pressing nature of the issue and emphasizes the need for better protection against such abuses in the digital landscape.
In conclusion, Senator Mike Lee has reached out to Taylor Swift for her support in promoting the PROTECT Act, a piece of legislation aimed at combatting harmful deepfake images. Swift, who recently fell victim to AI-generated pornography, is reportedly considering legal action against those responsible. The reintroduction of the PROTECT Act would establish stricter regulations for pornography websites and provide avenues for individuals to seek legal redress against companies that fail to address these issues. With the support of influential figures like Taylor Swift, lawmakers hope to address the urgent need for increased protection in the digital age.
