Seizure of twelve domain names linked to sexual deepfakes in New York
Quick Look
- New York authorities have seized twelve domain names used to distribute non-consensual sexual deepfakes, affecting around 1,200 victims including public figures.
- The investigation continues to identify those responsible.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Non-consensual sexual deepfakes represent a growing form of cybercrime using artificial intelligence to create or modify pornographic content without the consent of the people depicted.
A major legal operation has targeted the sexual deepfake industry in the United States. On Monday, New York authorities announced the seizure of twelve domain names used to distribute pornographic images and videos generated or modified by artificial intelligence without the consent of the people represented. According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, approximately 1,200 victims appeared on these platforms, including actors, politicians and other public figures.
The Manhattan prosecutor presented this operation as the largest judicial seizure of domain names devoted to this type of illegal content. Some sites notably used names like “AI Celebs”. “In New York State, it is illegal to share real photos and videos of people having sex without their permission. Likewise, it is illegal to share this content when it is created or modified using artificial intelligence tools,” said Alvin Bragg.
Ongoing investigations to identify those responsible
The investigation was opened after the report of a victim. The prosecutor did not specify whether any arrests had been made and indicated that investigations were continuing to identify those responsible for the platforms and the people who posted this content online. “Our investigations into deepfake pornography sites and their creators are only just beginning. This is part of our wider work” to fight crime, he added.
According to Wired, the twelve sites allowed the publication, sharing or sale of fake sex videos representing the vast majority of women. The American media reports that certain platforms were probably viewed millions of times and offered videos lasting several minutes, generally made by replacing the faces of pornographic film actresses with those of celebrities or public figures. Some archived videos had been viewed tens of thousands of times.
“This domain has been seized”
Wired also specifies that several of the seized sites had already replaced their home page with a message indicating “This domain has been seized” before the official announcement from the prosecutor. Benjamin Shultz, researcher at the American Sunlight Project cited by Wired, indicates that certain platforms offered profiles dedicated to elected officials, with their name, their position and a series of manipulated videos. Some of the content would have previously circulated on MrDeepFakes, an important specialized site closed in 2025.
Our articles on deepfakes
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
New seizures of domain names linked to sexual deepfakes will take place in the coming months.
Likely · Within months
Arrests will be made as part of the ongoing investigation.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Who are those responsible for the seized platforms?
- Will any arrests be made as part of this investigation?
- What measures will be taken to prevent the reappearance of such sites?
