Latest news with #FrancescaMani
CBS News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New Jersey teen victimized by AI porn attends "Take it Down Act" signing at White House
N.J. teen victimized by AI porn attends "Take it Down Act" signing N.J. teen victimized by AI porn attends "Take it Down Act" signing N.J. teen victimized by AI porn attends "Take it Down Act" signing President Trump has signed the "Take it Down Act", which bans people from publishing nonconsensual sexual images, like artificial intelligence deepfakes and revenge porn. The White House invited Francesca Mani, a New Jersey high student who was victimized by deepfake porn, to Monday's bill signing ceremony after she spent years advocating for the bill. New Jersey teen victimized by deepfake porn spent years advocating for "Take it Down Act" In 2023, Mani's family told CBS News New York that boys at Westfield High School used an AI app to create nude images using the faces of real girls, including Francesca. Her family has been fighting for reforms ever since. Mr. Trump's signature means people who distribute sexual images of someone without their consent can now face up to three years in prison or fines from the federal government. It includes AI-generated deepfakes, which are forged images created with a real person's face. "I mean, it feels absolutely exhilarating. I mean, I have been supporting this law and advocating for it for almost two years now, and I am just so happy. I just want to say thank you to the first lady and President Trump, and all the politicians who have acted in a decisive way, in a bipartisan way," Mani said in an interview from the White House Rose Garden. Back in 2023, boys at Westfield High School allegedly used an artificial intelligence app to create fake nude images using the faces of female classmates, including Francesca Mani. Photo provided The president acknowledge Mani's struggle during the signing ceremony. "Also with us are several other brave Americans whose lives were rocked by online harassment, including Francesca Mani," the president said. Mani joined first lady Melania Trump at a press conference in March where they both called for stronger protections from AI-generated deepfake pornography. "We affirm that the wellbeing of our children is central to our future of our families in America," the first lady said Monday. Revenge porn bill outlines criminal penalties Under the "Take it Down Act," criminal penalties for sharing nonconsensual sexually explicit images are immediately in effect. A part of the law that requires social media companies to remove the images within 48 hours of a victim's request goes into effect next year. Critics said the bill could be weaponized to remove legitimate images protected by free speech. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie said it was ripe for abuse with unintended consequences, but it passed the House of Representatives 409-2. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law laying out criminal penalties for producing and sharing non-consensual deepfake images in April.
Associated Press
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Creating and sharing deceptive AI-generated media is now a crime in New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Creating and sharing deceptive media made with artificial intelligence is now a crime in New Jersey and open to lawsuits under a new state law. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Wednesday making the creation and dissemination of so-called deceptive deepfake media a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, and establishing a basis for lawsuits against perpetrators. New Jersey joins a growing list of states enacting measures taking aim at media created using generative AI. At least 20 states have passed similar legislation that targets such media involving elections. As of last year, governors in more than a dozen states had signed laws cracking down on digitally created or altered child sexual abuse imagery, according to a review by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. New Jersey's law stems in part from the story of Westfield High School student Francesca Mani, who stood alongside the governor as he signed the bill this week. Mani said she became the victim of a deepfake video two years ago and was told that the only punishment for the person who created it was a short suspension because there were no laws against such media. Time last year as an anti-deepfake activist. The measure defines a deepfake as any video or audio recording or image that appears to a reasonable person to realistically depict someone doing something they did not actually do. In addition to prison time upon conviction, the law establishes civil penalties that would permit victims to pursue lawsuits.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Jersey enacts law against AI deepfakes, thanks to victim's advocacy
NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) — In spite of the pain and anguish she endured at the age of 14, this young woman says she did not want to wear a victim's badge. 'Instead, I decided to fight for my rights and pursue the justice so many called impossible,' said Francesca Mani. More Local News Mani, a 16-year-old student at Westfield High School, has been a champion of what is now a State law against AI deepfake pornography. 'If you are going to create a non-consensual deepfake, if you are going to solicit one, and if you are going to distribute it, you are now going to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,' said NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin. 'You'll face up to five years in prison.' On Wednesday in Newark, Governor Phil Murphy signed the bipartisan legislation into law. 'This is a historic day,' said Murphy (D-NJ). 'I want to thank Francesca, especially, her mom, for standing up so strongly, for being so determined.' It was the summer of 2023 when someone generated a sexually explicit deepfake image of Francesca Mani. She says the person behind it only got a one-day suspension. 'When I pressed administration, 'why not enforce your own code of conduct?' They shrugged and said, 'there are no AI laws, so we can't.' My response? 'Then I'll bring you a law,'' said Mani. 'Well, Westfield High School, this one's for you.' Westfield public schools Superintendent, Dr. Raymond Gonzalez, told PIX11 news in a statement: 'We welcome the new legislation regarding AI deep fakes. Alongside the district's updated policies and student code of conduct, this legislation offers important safeguards against the misuse of artificial intelligence. We remain committed to protecting and educating our students in an increasingly complex digital world.' The Mani family's work will not end here in New Jersey; they say it will continue in Washington, where a similar bill is now at the federal level. 'Hopefully it will pass without any changes and we'll have a federal law as well,' said Dorota Mani, Francesca's mother. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
