MEP Calls for EU Action Against Nude Deepfakes After Personal Experience

MEP Discovers Personal Deepfake Attack

Lena Schilling, an Austrian MEP from the Green party, recently discovered that nude deepfakes of her were circulating online. The images were digitally altered versions of photos from one of her early press conferences, showing her without clothing. Schilling described feeling 'disgusted' by the misuse of her image, which she felt was intended to harm and humiliate her.

Widespread Threat to Female Politicians

Schilling's experience is part of a broader issue affecting European politicians. A report by Agora Digitale Transformation (ADT) found that 50 MEPs, 46 of whom are women, have been targeted by sexualized deepfakes. An earlier ADT report indicated that 138 female parliamentarians across 22 EU countries were affected, with women being 33 times more likely than their male counterparts to be associated with deepfake pornography. ADT characterizes this as a 'systemic threat to women in European politics'.

Impact on Democracy and Public Life

Schilling views these deepfakes as a form of 'digital violence against women,' exacerbating existing sexist abuse faced by women in politics. She warned that such incidents make political careers more difficult, potentially leading to fewer women participating in public life, which poses a threat to democracy.

Call for EU Enforcement

In response, Schilling, along with German Green MEP Terry Reintke, initiated a letter to the EU, signed by 119 MEPs. The letter calls for robust enforcement mechanisms to accompany a forthcoming EU-wide ban on apps and websites that use AI to undress women. This ban is scheduled to take effect on December 2.