Prosecutor explains how to combat revenge porn and deepfakes

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office is warning residents of a growing form of exploitation, using AI-generated images or videos called deepfakes.

The federal Take It Down Act went into effect in May and requires online platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images, real or fake, within 48 hours of a valid request. Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch says that victims should submit that request to an online platform and contact law enforcement as soon as possible.

“We understand that a person might be hesitant or feel embarrassment, but that’s one of the things that the individuals who post these images capitalize on, is the victims’ fear,” Welch said. “And that gives them time and it gives them leverage. So if an individual were to be threatened, if they make an immediate police report, then they can get an investigation underway, and law enforcement can move quickly to make sure it’s stopped. And we can move quickly to establish a good investigation to make sure that that person is prosecuted.”

Between the Take It Down Act and the Ohio Revised Code Section 2917.211, people who use intimate images to abuse, threaten, harass, or intimidate another person could look at sentences ranging from the local jail to time in federal prison.

“I just think that it’s very important for people to understand that when you have people using intimate images, they are essentially acting as digital terrorists,” Welch said.  “They are using fear, intimidation, and psychological warfare to obtain what they want. And the only way to truly get out from underneath that is to make a report to law enforcement. ”

Welch also recommends that parents have conversations with their children about the risk of being targets. You can visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website for educational resources.

You can read the prosector’s press release from July 18 through this link.