The incident at Westfield High School underscores the urgent need for schools and educators to prioritize digital literacy and the responsible use of technology. It is critical for students to understand the implications of their actions, both in terms of their own privacy and the potential harm they may cause to others.
Deepfakes Legal Implications
The legal landscape surrounding pornographic ‘deepfakes’ remains a complex and evolving issue. In May, Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., introduced legislation aimed at making the non-consensual sharing of altered or ‘deepfake’ explicit images online illegal, while also providing legal recourse for victims targeted by such images.
On Congressman Morelle’s website: “The spread of A.I.-generated and altered images can cause irrevocable emotional, financial, and reputational harm—and unfortunately, women are disproportionately impacted.”
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher added, “I applaud Congressman Morelle for introducing the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act against sexualized non-consensual digital replicas and ‘deepfakes’. This bill will help curb an incredibly destructive practice that strikes at the heart of personal privacy, safety and autonomy. Sexual abuse, whether occurring physically or digitally, should never be excused or permitted as ‘personal expression’, and it should never be tolerated.
