Crackdown on Deepfake Pornography Intensifies
A significant development in the fight against nonconsensual deepfake imagery occurred recently when Mr. Deepfakes, one of the largest platforms dedicated to deepfake pornography, announced its shutdown. The website, created in 2018, was described by researchers as “the most prominent and mainstream marketplace” for deepfake porn featuring celebrities and private individuals alike. The site’s closure follows the withdrawal of support from a critical service provider, effectively halting its operations.
The shutdown notice appeared on the website’s landing page on a Sunday, stating that it would not be relaunching. Previously, the platform allowed users to upload, view, and even buy and sell custom nonconsensual deepfake content created using artificial intelligence. The forums on the site also facilitated discussions on deepfake creation practices. Notably, the identity of the site’s owner remains unknown.
This development comes shortly after Congress passed the “Take It Down Act,” a legislation that makes it a federal crime to post nonconsensual sexual imagery, including explicit deepfakes. The law, supported by First Lady Melania Trump, mandates that social media platforms and websites remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request. While the exact connection between the website’s termination and the Take It Down Act is unclear, it marks another step in the crackdown on nonconsensual sexual imagery.
Henry Ajder, an expert in AI and deepfakes, described the shutdown as “a moment to celebrate” in an interview with CBS News. He characterized Mr. Deepfakes as the “central node” of deepfake abuse. While acknowledging that the issue of nonconsensual deepfake imagery won’t disappear immediately, Ajder emphasized that dismantling the largest archive of deepfake porn is “a step in the right direction.” He explained that this move makes the content less accessible and disperses the user community, likely pushing them toward less mainstream platforms.
“I’m sure those communities will find a home somewhere else, but it won’t be this home, and I don’t think it’ll be as big and as prominent. And I think that’s critical,” Ajder said. He advocates for more global legislation and increased public awareness to tackle the issue effectively. “We’re starting to see people taking it more seriously, and we’re starting to see the kind of societal infrastructure needed to react better than we have. But we can never be complacent with how much resource and how much vigilance we need to give,” Ajder added.
The shutdown of Mr. Deepfakes represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat nonconsensual deepfake imagery. As legal frameworks continue to evolve and public awareness grows, experts remain vigilant about the need for continued action against this emerging threat.
