New York seizes 12 celeb deep-fake porn sites

Authorities in New York announced Monday the seizure of a dozen prominent websites hosting pornographic celebrity deep-fakes that featured politicians and actors.

An online boom in non-consensual deep-fakes is currently outpacing efforts to regulate the technology around the world due to a proliferation of AI tools, including "nudification" apps.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he believed it was the largest seizure of websites focused on AI-generated illegal pornography.

The sites, with names like "AI Celebs," hosted hyper-realistic deep-fake montages and clips of what prosecutors said was around 1,200 victims.

He said they were "photos and videos that use artificial intelligence to make it seem like real people are engaging in sexually explicit acts."

"In New York State it is illegal to share real photos and videos of people engaging in sex without their permission. Likewise, it is also illegal to share that content if it's created or altered by artificial intelligence tools."

Bragg said a victim came forward to report a site, triggering the investigation. He did not confirm any arrests.

"Our investigations into deep-fake pornography sites and content creators are just beginning. This is part of our broader work to dismantle systems that breed and foster crime," he added.

In May, the United States began enforcing a law requiring tech platforms to remove sexual deep-fakes and other non-consensual intimate imagery.

President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act last year, criminalizing the online distribution of non-consensual sexual imagery that is often created using cheap and widely available artificial intelligence tools.