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Press Release Published: Mar 6, 2024

Mace Announces Second Hearing on Deepfakes

Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation

WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) will hold a hearing titled “Addressing Real Harm Caused by Deepfakes.” In November, the Subcommittee held a hearing focused on advances in deepfake technology enabled by artificial intelligence. The new hearing will examine how the increasing proliferation of deepfakes of intimate images is often victimizing women and children and creating challenges for parents and law enforcement officials. The hearing will also explore ways to mitigate the harm done by the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

“It’s become much easier to create and broadly disseminate deepfakes, and all too often this increasingly sophisticated technology is being used to crudely harm women and children. This includes – but extends well-beyond – the targeting of high-profile celebrities like Taylor Swift.  The posting of these sorts of deepfakes on the internet and social media sites shows no signs of slowing down. It’s creating increasing challenges for law enforcement officials at the federal, state, and local level. The subcommittee will hear testimony to get the perspective of victims, law enforcement and legal experts. This will help ensure Congress takes action to combat deepfakes, including by closing any legal loopholes that allow those who use deepfakes to perpetrate harm to go unpunished,” said Subcommittee Chairwoman Mace.

WHAT: Hearing titled “Addressing Real Harm Caused by Deepfakes”

DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 2024

TIME: 2:00 p.m. ET

LOCATION: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

WITNESSES:                       

  • John Shehan,Vice President, Exploited Children Division, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
  • Carl Szabo,Vice President and General Counsel, Netchoice
  • Dorata Mani, Parent of Westfield (NJ) High School Student

The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at https://oversight.house.gov/.

Read More:

Hearing Wrap Up: Action Needed to Combat Proliferation of Harmful Deepfakes