TLDR: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) have issued a critical warning regarding a significant increase in deepfake videos and images circulating among students. The rise of generative AI has made it easier to create non-consensual explicit content, leading to severe legal consequences for perpetrators and offering resources for victims.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, in conjunction with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), has released an urgent warning to parents and schools across the state concerning a dramatic surge in deepfake videos and images targeting students. As the new school year commences, officials highlight the alarming ease with which artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being used to generate realistic, yet entirely fabricated, explicit content.
Attorney General Bird emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Deepfakes used for bullying are not a harmless prank. It’s a criminal act with real consequences. We are committed to protecting Iowa’s kids and holding offenders accountable.” The warning comes amidst a national trend where agencies are observing a concerning rise in the creation and distribution of non-consensual nude or sexually explicit images of students, including minors.
Data from NCMEC underscores the severity of this issue. In 2024, the organization reported a staggering 1,325% increase in CyberTipline reports involving generative AI. This exponential growth indicates widespread access to and misuse of AI-powered tools, including what are colloquially referred to as ‘Nutify apps,’ which enable even children to create explicit imagery of their peers.
In Iowa, the legal ramifications for such actions are severe. Creating or sharing sexually explicit deepfakes is classified as a criminal offense, which can lead to sex offender registration for adult perpetrators. On a federal level, the recently enacted TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed by President Trump, mandates that online platforms remove such illicit content within 48 hours of notification.
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Officials are urging parents to engage in proactive discussions with their children about online safety. Furthermore, critical resources are available for victims. The NCMEC offers its ‘Take It Down’ service at takeitdown.ncmec.org for individuals under 18, while adults can find assistance at stopncii.org. It is also crucial for all incidents to be reported immediately to local law enforcement to ensure appropriate action is taken against offenders.
