The first lady of the United States, Melania Trumphe appeared on Monday, for the first time in this second term, at a round table in the Senate to defend a legislative initiative against the ‘Deepfake’ or ultrafalsa pornography generated with artificial intelligence (AI).
“Addressing this issue is essential to promote a safe and supportive environment for our young people”said the first lady during her speech to reject the use of this technology in her first public appearance since the return to the president’s White Donald Trump.
It is known as ‘Deepfake’ pornography to hyperrealist digital falsifications with which a person’s face in images and videos is overlap through the causes it to seem that it is an explicit content of that person, without their consent.
The “Take It Down Act” initiative, as was baptized, was presented by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and has the support of members of his party and the Democratic Party, such as the senator for Minesota Amy Klobuchar, present at the act. There was also the president of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson.
During the first Trump mandate in the White House (2017-2021), Melania Trump carried out the “Be Best” campaign, with which he worked for the welfare of young people and the fight against cyberbullying.
“It is imperative that we protect children from petty and hurtful behaviors on the Internet, and guarantee their protection is not only a responsibility, but a vital step to cultivate tomorrow here with us”said in reference to the law, which was framed within this campaign.
And added: “It is a heartbreaking to witness how young people, especially girls, face the overwhelming challenges that suppose the malicious contents online like the one at hand, this toxic environment can be seriously harmful.”.
Together with the first lady, there were some teenage victims like Elliston Berry15 years, and Francesca Mani16 years, who intervened in the spot to give their testimony. In addition to the state deputy of the South Carolina, Brandon Guffey, whose son committed suicide after receiving threats related to these unseeled false images.
The fight against AI
This law was approved by the Senate on February 13 although it must receive the approval of Congress, where Republicans have a majority, although adjusted.
Although the initiative is now in parliamentary process, it is not the first time that this technology lands in the United States Capitol.
Some legislators, such as the Democrat Alexandria Ocasio Cortezone of the strongest assets in the party that has denounced Trump’s policies on numerous occasions, was a victim of ultrafalsa pornography.
“It is shocking to see images of yours that someone might think they are real”the congresswoman told Rolling Stone magazine.
In fact, Ocasio Cortez presented the initiative ‘Law against falsified explicit images and unseeled editions, also known as the law’ defiance ‘, also approved by the Senate.
“More than 90 % of all the ultrafals videos that are made are sexually explicit images. Nine out of ten times, women are the goal. Defiance law would be the first federal protection for Deepfake pornography survivors, allowing them to seek justice they deserve ”he said in X when he announced the initiative.
According to the Association for the Prevention of Sexual Violence (SVPA), both laws must be approved and are “compatible”, since the ‘Defiance’ will give power to the victims to seek justice, creating a civil right, while the ‘Take It Down’ seeks to demand that social networks and other platforms that have denouncing and withdrawal procedures.
In addition to congressmen, other personalities such as singer Taylor Swift have been victims of these manipulated images.