As Iowa students return to classrooms this month, Attorney General Brenna Bird is warning parents and schools about the dangers of deepfake images that can be used for bullying and harassment. The rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier to create realistic-looking images and videos that are fake. Agencies from across the country have seen an increase in the use of deepfakes to generate non-consensual nude or sexually explicit images of students, sometimes minors, which could lead to charges against perpetrators. Bird says, “Deepfakes used for bullying are not a harmless prank. It’s a criminal act with real consequences. The start of the school year is a critical time for parents to discuss overall online safety with their children, but it’s also important to know what to do if your child is the victim of a deepfake. We are committed to protecting Iowa’s kids and holding offenders accountable.” In Iowa, creating or sharing sexually explicit deepfakes is a crime that can result in sex offender registration. Federally, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed by President Trump earlier this year, requires platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of being notified. Victims can seek help through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Take It Down service at takeitdown.ncmec.org or at stopncii.org for adults. Officials urge victims to report incidents to local law enforcement.
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