Title: Washington State Passes Law to Combat A.I.-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors
In a groundbreaking move to protect minors from the spread of A.I.-generated sexually explicit images, Washington State recently passed a new law prohibiting the sharing of deepfake images of real minors. The legislation was proposed in response to a disturbing incident at Issaquah High School, where a male classmate circulated fake nude images of girls who had attended a homecoming dance.
The catalyst for the new law was Caroline Mullet, a ninth grader at Issaquah High, who discovered that her male classmates were using an artificial intelligence app to create and share simulated nude images of their female peers. Shocked and concerned for her friends, Ms. Mullet alerted her father, Mark Mullet, a Washington State senator, who took swift action to address the issue.
The State Legislature passed the bill without opposition, and Governor Jay Inslee signed it into law last month. The law makes it illegal to possess, produce, or distribute A.I.-generated sexually explicit depictions of real minors, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors for first-time offenders to felony charges for repeat offenders.
The incident at Issaquah High is just one example of a growing trend of peer sexual exploitation and harassment in schools across the country. Boys are using easily accessible A.I. apps to create and share deepfake images of their classmates, posing a serious threat to the mental health, reputations, and physical safety of young girls.
In response to this alarming trend, federal and state lawmakers are rushing to enact protections to keep pace with exploitative A.I. apps. At least two dozen states have introduced bills to combat A.I.-generated sexually explicit images of minors, with several states already enacting measures to address the issue.
While the new laws aim to hold individuals accountable for creating and sharing deepfake images, some experts argue that more needs to be done to target the developers of A.I. nudification apps. Legislation is needed to disrupt the commercialization of these apps, which is fueling the mass production and distribution of false, graphic images.
As states work to pass laws to combat exploitative A.I. images, the hope is that these measures will serve as a deterrent and provide justice for victims of deepfake incidents. The new law in Washington State is a significant step towards protecting minors from the harmful effects of A.I.-generated deepfake images and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
