WESTMINSTER, ENGLAND: A 30-year-old woman, Kate Isaacs, was shocked to find her face in a sexual act video but later realized that it wasn’t her. She revealed that she initially did not understand that it was a deepfake video, saying, “I remember feeling hot, having this wave come over me. My stomach dropped. I couldn't even think straight. I was going 'Where was this? Has someone filmed this without me knowing? Why can't I remember this? Who is this man?’”
"But it was so convincing, it even took me a few minutes to realize that it wasn't me. Anyone who knew me would think the same. It was devastating. I felt violated, and it was out there for everyone to see," said Kate about the video which appeared in 2020, reports DailyMail. Kate said she never discovered who made the video but believes she was targeted as she had previously spoken out about the rise of "non-consensual porn." She said, "This is all it takes now. It makes every woman who has an image of herself online a potential victim; that's pretty much all of us, these days."
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The video of Kate was made using footage of her taken from the internet. The phenomenon is called deepfakes, which are created using artificial intelligence software. DailyMail states, "The use of deepfakes was also highlighted by hit BBC drama series 'The Capture,' a political thriller which explored how software could be used to deepfake an alternative reality, with huge issues for national security." In 2017, actresses Emma Watson, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson, were the subject of nonconsensual deepfaked video, states Daily Star.
Who is Kate Isaacs?
As per notyourporn's website, Kate is a qualitative researcher, cultural analyst, and the founder of the #NotYourPorn campaign. She was also nominated and short-listed for Forbes 30 under 30 2021.
What is #NotYourPorn campaign?
The campaign was started in May 2019 after one of Kate' close friends had her iCloud account hacked. Videos of that friend and her ex were stolen and uploaded to Pornhub. The website states, "Kate realized, in trying to get the content removed, that there was no regulation in place to hold companies like Pornhub to account for hosting non-consensual content. Weeks afterward the video was taken down, but the damage was already done - the video was downloaded millions of times." "After investigating the lack of moderation and accountability in the porn industry, interviewing hundreds of survivors of image-based sexual abuse, and consulting with MPs, lawmakers, and the Secretary of Justice," Kate started the campaign, states the website.
In 2022, due to efforts by Kate and other women, the Government announced that nonconsensual 'deepfake' pornography will be made illegal under the Online Safety Bill, which is expected to become law later this year. Those who commit the crime could be jailed under the proposed changes. Victims could also receive the same legal rights to anonymity as those who are raped, as well as special measures such as the right to give their evidence via video ahead of the case to spare them the ordeal of facing the offender in court.
Talking about it, deepfake creator dubbed Gorkem, who said that Instagram and Zoom are a deepfaker's dream because they provide clear stills and videos, admitted to having deepfaked his own female work colleagues. He said, "I didn't really know them. I'd see them around the office but I didn't talk to them. I was attracted to them. When I walked into work after having deepfaked these women, it did feel odd. I just controlled my nerves. No one would suspect a thing." He further added, "I can see how some women might be psychologically damaged, but on the other hand they can just say, 'This is not me. It has been faked'. I think they should just recognize that and get on with their day."