SF shuts down 10 of the world's most-visited websites using AI to generate explicit content

San Francisco's city attorney reported a significant victory in a lawsuit against websites generating AI-created explicit content without consent. Ten of the 16 targeted websites have been shut down for violating laws against deepfake and child pornography. City Attorney David Chiu emphasized the investigation's role in uncovering the dark corners of the internet where non-consensual explicit imagery is prevalent. One defendant, Briver, has agreed to a settlement that includes a $100,000 civil penalty and a permanent injunction against future operations. The websites attracted an astonishing 200 million visitors in the first half of 2024, showcasing the widespread nature of the issue.

Experts, including Stanford's Sunny Liu, believe the lawsuit is a promising development but acknowledge that more work is needed to combat online victimization. State senators are also working on legislation to ensure that laws keep pace with rapid advancements in AI technology. The city attorney continues to pursue the remaining websites in the lawsuit, seeking accountability for those involved in these practices.