A bipartisan plan spearheaded by state Rep. Matthew Bierlein, of Vassar, that protects residents, children and families was recently advanced overwhelmingly by the Michigan House.
House Bills 4047-48 create criminal penalties and allow for civil action for the non-consensual creation and dissemination of “deep fake” images or videos that are sensitive in nature or feature intimate parts of an individual.
Deep Fakes are highly realistic, computer-generated images that can make it appear as though an individual is engaging in activities they never participated in, including sexual activities. Currently, there are no laws in place in Michigan that prevent individuals from sharing these types of deep fake images or videos, even if an individual hasn’t consented to the creation or sharing of it.
Bierlein pointed to national data that has shown a significant rise in sextortion cases that involve synthetic media to support the need for the legislation. In one stretch from October 2021 to March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations received over 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors.
In response to this alarming trend of people using advanced technology to exploit unsuspecting victims, Bierlein helped introduce the plans in March of 2024 during the previous legislative term. They received overwhelming bipartisan support while being advanced through the House, but ultimately were not voted on in the Senate.
Rep. Bierlein is hopeful for the bill’s progress, especially since “the framework these bills create will deliver justice and a better way forward.” The bills now move to the Senate for consideration.
