Have you ever used an AI tool to create an image of someone you know? Or do you know somebody who has?
The article was written by The Line Creative Hub member Talisa G.
Maybe it started as a joke.
Maybe you were just seeing what the technology could do, or someone showed you how, and it seemed harmless enough.
AI image tools are everywhere, and they can be hard to tell apart from the real deal.
But there's a version of this that isn't harmless at all.
What Is Deepfake Pornography?
Deepfake pornography is when someone uses AI to place a real person's face onto explicit content without that person’s consent.
If you have ever made or seen content like that, we need to talk about what that actually does to the victim.
Put Yourself In The Other Person’s Shoes
Think about the situation where there is deepfake explicit content of somebody out there.
Content they never made, never agreed to, never even knew about until someone showed them.
Now, picture if it were you.
You don't know how many people have seen 'your' naked body.
'You' depicted as engaging in sexual acts you've never engaged in.
You would feel sick. Scared.
Like your body, your face, might not belong to you anymore.
Deepfake content violates consent.
It takes away a person's autonomy over their own body, and doesn’t consider feelings, or the potential lost reputation.
But Isn’t Deepfake Porn Not Actually Them?
This is what people tend to say when trying to underplay the severity of this crime.
It might be technically fabricated. Maybe that felt like a line that kept it okay.
But think about what has actually been done.
Someone's identity was taken and attached to something explicit without their knowledge.
They might never be able to undo the result of this content.
The image might be fake. The consequences and violations aren't.
It sits in the same category as sharing someone's nudes without consent.
In Australia, it is a serious crime.
What Should You Do If You’ve Created Deepfake Porn?
Delete it. All of it.
Do not share it or show your mates.
If it's already been shared, the eSafety Commission can help you understand your options, including how to get content removed from social media.
What Should You Do If Someone Has Shared Deepfake Porn With You?
Don't save it.
Don't pass it on.
The eSafety Commission recommends writing down what you saw before reporting it to authorities or a trusted figure (like a parent, carer, relative or teacher).
What Should You Do If Deepfake Porn Has Been Made Of You
Remember, you haven't done anything wrong.
Save any evidence you can, without sharing it.
If it has been shared to social media, report it to the platform through their safety centre.
Reach out to a trusted adult and to the authorities.
The eSafety Commissioner and Youth Law Australia can also provide advice on how to proceed.
Technology is moving really fast right now.
But we must remember to consider how our actions, whether in the real world or digital, will continue to affect the people around us.
