Google Search and Microsoft Bing appear to face challenges related to the presence of deepfake pornography

The prevalence of deepfake content is apparent, especially in its accessibility through popular search engines. Recent investigations highlight the ease of finding nonconsensual deepfake pornography on platforms like Google and Microsoft’s Bing. This unethical practice involves superimposing an individual’s face onto explicit material, creating misleading and distressing scenarios.

Uncovering deepfake pornography

Deepfake pornographic images featuring female celebrities are found prominently in search results for women’s names when combined with terms like “deepfakes,” “deepfake porn,” or “fake nudes.” The searches, conducted with safe-search tools turned off to assess unfiltered content, revealed that, in an examination of 36 popular female celebrities on Google and Bing. Nonconsensual deepfake images and links to deepfake videos appeared prominently in top search results for 34 searches on Google and 35 searches on Bing. The report noted that over half of the top results directed users to a popular deepfake website or a competing platform.

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Words from Google, Microsoft

A Google spokesperson acknowledged the distress caused by such content and stated that they are actively working to enhance protections in Search. As the landscape evolves, they are implementing broader safeguards, particularly focusing on eliminating the need for known victims to request individual content removals.

A Microsoft spokesperson in a statement said, “The distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) is a gross violation of personal privacy and dignity with devastating effects for victims. Microsoft prohibits NCII on our platforms and services, including the soliciting of NCII or advocating for the production or redistribution of intimate imagery without a victim’s consent.”

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A Microsoft spokesperson emphatically stated that the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) constitutes a severe violation of personal privacy and dignity, leading to devastating effects for victims. Furthermore, Microsoft has a strict policy against NCII on their platforms and services, explicitly prohibiting any solicitation or advocacy for the production or redistribution of intimate imagery without the explicit consent of the victim.