Jenna Ortega recently made headlines when she revealed that she deleted her Twitter account due to receiving AI-generated pornographic direct messages of herself as a child. This disturbing experience sheds light on the dark side of social media and the potential harm that can come from artificial intelligence.
In an interview with the New York Times, Ortega reflected on her upbringing in the spotlight and the challenges of navigating her identity as a young woman in Hollywood. She expressed her frustration with AI, stating that while it has the potential for positive uses such as early detection of diseases like breast cancer, it can also be used for nefarious purposes like creating inappropriate content of minors.
Ortega shared that her first experience with inappropriate content on social media occurred when she was just 12 years old, receiving an unsolicited photo of a man’s genitals. This incident was just the beginning of a series of disturbing messages and images that led her to eventually delete her Twitter account. The invasion of privacy and violation of boundaries that Ortega experienced is a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk on the internet.
The use of AI to create realistic fake pornography, known as deepfakes, is a growing concern in the digital age. The ease of creating manipulated images and videos has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is fake. Women, in particular, are vulnerable to being targeted and harassed through deepfake pornography, leading to feelings of discomfort and insecurity.
Despite the prevalence of deepfake pornography and its harmful effects, laws regulating the use of AI in this way have been slow to catch up. Platforms like Twitch and even celebrities like Taylor Swift have fallen victim to deepfake manipulation, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations to protect individuals from digital exploitation.
Jenna Ortega’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of social media and artificial intelligence. It is crucial for both lawmakers and tech companies to take action to prevent the spread of harmful content and protect the privacy and safety of users, especially young women in the entertainment industry. The intersection of technology and personal security is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and proactive measures to ensure a safer online environment for all.