Title: Washington State Passes Law to Combat A.I.-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors
Caroline Mullet, a ninth grader at Issaquah High School near Seattle, took a stand against the circulation of fake nude images of her female classmates, sparking legislative action in Washington State to address the issue.
After discovering that a male classmate had used an artificial intelligence app to create simulated nude images of girls who attended a James Bond-themed homecoming dance, Ms. Mullet, along with her father, Democratic Washington State Senator Mark Mullet, advocated for a bill to prohibit the sharing of A.I.-generated sexually explicit depictions of real minors.
The State Legislature swiftly passed the bill, which was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee last month. This legislation is part of a broader effort by federal and state lawmakers to combat the proliferation of A.I.-generated deepfake images of minors, a disturbing trend that has been on the rise in schools across the country.
States like South Dakota and Louisiana have already enacted laws to criminalize the possession, production, and distribution of A.I.-generated sexual abuse material depicting real minors. In Washington State, Representative Tina Orwall drafted the explicit-deepfake law after hearing about incidents like the one at Issaquah High.
Experts and lawmakers emphasize the urgent need for legislation to protect minors from the harmful effects of A.I. nudification apps, which can lead to the mass production and distribution of false, graphic images that threaten the mental health, reputations, and physical safety of young girls.
While some legal ambiguity exists around the classification of A.I.-generated explicit images, lawmakers are working to pass laws that specifically address this form of exploitation. California and Massachusetts are among the states introducing bills to update existing laws to cover A.I.-generated abusive material and criminalize the nonconsensual sharing of explicit images, including deepfakes.
The new deepfake law in Washington State, set to take effect in June, imposes penalties for distributing A.I.-generated intimate or sexually explicit images of minors or adults. First offenders could face misdemeanor charges, while those with prior convictions for disclosing sexually explicit images would face felony charges.
As the issue of A.I.-generated deepfake images continues to evolve, lawmakers are taking proactive steps to protect minors and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
