Deepfakes in Pornography

 Regan Morello

Alert.reganmorello@gmail.com

With all of the new and fascinating technology emerging in our world today, it is important that we discern moral and immoral ways to use this technology. Although the term "Deepfake" has only been around since 2017 when a popular reddit page coined the term, some forms of deepfake have been around since the 1990's. Deepfakes are a type of technology that alter appearance by replacing a face on a body with someone else's, most of the time in video format. This technology has been used to produce a multitude of creations, some good, and some extremely concerning. 

Deepfake pornography began appearing in 2017 when the redditor who coined the term began releasing pornography he altered using deepfake technology to replace the faces of porn actresses with popular female celebrities without their consent. In fact, Jennifer Walter stated in her article for Discover Magazine in 2020 that over 96% of deepfakes today are pornographic. This rise in nonconsensual use of famous women's likeness is concerning in itself, but what about the rise it has created in revenge porn? Women who aren't celebrities are just as much a victim of this, if not more. Revenge porn is when someone uses your likeness to create fake nude images of others and posts them online, ruining women's reputations and causing them unwarranted distress and embarrassment. Some people have no idea they have even been posted online, it could be me, you, or anyone you know. Stressful to think about right? So, what are some potential solutions?

Deepfake - Before and After

First of all, most obviously, do not indulge in the creation, viewing, or spread of these fake pornographic images and videos no matter what. Second of all, train yourself on how to spot it and it will be easier to report it. Deepfakes can be spotted in similar ways to the average photoshop fails and mishaps. Mit Media Lab provides an extensive list of ways deepfakes can be outed as fake. In short, they recommend paying attention to details in the face of the potential deepfake, such as eyebrows, moles, or wrinkles that may seem off. 

Though one of the majorly immoral ways deepfake technology can be used is in the porn industry, there are many positive ways deepfake technology can be applied as well. For example, Kendrick Lamar used deepfake technology in a highly creative way in his new music video "The Heart Part 5." In this video, Kendrick swaps his face with various famous men. Kendrick Lamar uses celebrities that have been highlighted men in the black community whether for good or bad reasons. His use of deepfakes in a creative way positively reenforces the urge to use deepfake technology in ways that benefit the world. 

Kendrick Lamar's Video "The Heart Part 5"