Congress pushes bill to let Americans SUE if fake porn images of them are published after Taylor Swift deep fake scandal
- The DEFIANCE Act introduced by a group of four senator would allow the victims of deepfake images and videos to take legal action against those responsible
- The White House has called on Congress to take legislative action to combat the increased circulation of fake explicit images
- It is not the first time Taylor Swift has considered legal action against the website where the fake porn images originated from
A group of lawmakers are stepping in to try and take down Taylor Swift 'deep fake' perpetrators with a bill that would allow Americans to sue if fake porn images of them are published.
Popstar Taylor Swift became the latest target of nonconsensual deepfakes after artificial intelligence generated sexually explicit images of her flooded the internet this week.
The dozens of graphic images showed Swift in a series of sexual acts while dressed in Kansas City Chief memorabilia after she became a regular at football games to support of her boyfriend Travis Kelce.
Swift is now considering legal action against the deepfake porn website that posted the images amid calls from fans and even the White House for legislative action to combat the growing issue.
Lawmakers decided to step in to combat the rise of nonconsensual deepfakes with a new bill that allows victims to take action against fake porn made in their likeness.
The DEFIANCE Act of 2024 was introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Senator Amy Klobuchar, R-Minn.
![Taylor Swift's legal team is considering legal action after fake sexually explicit images of the singer circulated on the internet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/31/21/80696533-13029669-Taylor_Swift_s_legal_team_is_considering_legal_action_after_fake-a-13_1706737482088.jpg)
Taylor Swift's legal team is considering legal action after fake sexually explicit images of the singer circulated on the internet
![The obscene images are themed around Swift's fandom of the Kansas City Chiefs, which began after she started dating star player Travis Kelce](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/31/21/80453311-13029669-The_obscene_images_are_themed_around_Swift_s_fandom_of_the_Kansa-a-15_1706737482284.jpg)
The obscene images are themed around Swift's fandom of the Kansas City Chiefs, which began after she started dating star player Travis Kelce
'Sexually-explicit "deepfake" content is often used to exploit and harass women—particularly public figures, politicians, and celebrities,' Durbin said in a statement introducing the DEFIANCE Act.
'Although the imagery may be fake, the harm to the victims from the distribution of sexually explicit "deepfakes" is very real.'
The bill builds on provisions of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 which provides for action against fake explicit images.
It would allow victims of explicit fake images and videos generated through AI and other technology to take civil action against anyone who produces, possess the images with intent to distribute or in some cases received the deepfake images knowing the the victim did not consent.
It would apply to fake images and videos were the victim is depicted engaging in sexually-explicit activities or nude.
![Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (left) and Chairman Dick Durbin (right) introduced the DEFIANCE Act along with Senators Hawley and Klobuchar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/31/21/80696713-13029669-Senate_Judiciary_Committee_Ranking_Member_Lindsey_Graham_left_an-a-14_1706737482283.jpg)
Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (left) and Chairman Dick Durbin (right) introduced the DEFIANCE Act along with Senators Hawley and Klobuchar
The bill was introduced Wednesday ahead of a hearing on Wednesday on Big Tech's failure to protect kids from sexual exploitation online.
The website which posted the fake porn of Swift and other celebrities had been doing so for years. Celeb Jihad is believed to be the origin of recent fake sexually explicit images of Swift.
They were then posted on X and other social media sites sparking outrage from the singer's legions of fans who worked to alert tech officials to have images removed.
This is not the first time Swift has considered legal action against the website. Her legal team previously issued a warning to Celeb Jihad after it published a fake photo of her topless in 2011.
According to an analysis shared with The Associated Press by independent researcher Genevieve Oh in December, more than 143,000 new deepfake videos were posted online last year, surpassing every other year combined. A 2019 study found that 96% of deepfake videos were nonconsensual porn.
The DEFIANCE Act is one of several responses from federal officials following the Taylor Swift fake porn scandal.
Last week, Congressman Tom Kean Jr. called for establishing safeguards to combat an 'alarming trend' not just against celebrity victims but every young person across the country.
In response to a question last week, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration was alarmed by the circulation of fake explicit images. She said the Biden administration is committed called on Congress to addressing online harassment and abuse but also called on Congress to take legislative action.
In May 2023, New York Congressman Joe Morelle introduced the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act.
His legislation would criminalize the nonconsensual production and sharing of AI generated sexually explicit material.