'I Want to Make You Immortal' – How one woman confronted her deepfakes stalker
10 days ago
- #AI
- #deepfake
- #harassment
- Joanne Chew discovered deepfake pornographic content of herself online, created and distributed by a harasser known as 'Ron'.
- The harassment escalated over time, with Ron creating thousands of pieces of content, posting on multiple platforms, and directly messaging Chew with disturbing and racist messages.
- Chew sought help from online investigator Charles DeBarber, who noted the increasing use of AI in harassment and the lack of effective regulation.
- Despite efforts to report and remove the content, the harassment continued, with new accounts and content appearing regularly.
- Chew experienced significant emotional distress, including thoughts of self-harm, and faced challenges in her professional and personal life due to the harassment.
- The harasser, Ron, exhibited obsessive and manipulative behavior, alternating between threats and pleas for forgiveness, while continuing to create and distribute degrading content.
- Chew's case highlights the broader issue of deepfake harassment, which disproportionately affects women and lacks effective legal and technological solutions.
- Current legislation, such as the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, does not adequately address AI-generated deepfake content.
- The ease of creating deepfakes and the lack of consequences for perpetrators exacerbate the problem, leaving victims like Chew with limited recourse.
- Chew's experience underscores the need for more comprehensive and inclusive solutions to combat deepfake harassment and protect victims.