Two Men Charged Under New Trump Law Targeting AI ‘Deepfakes’

Federal prosecutors have indicted two people who used artificial intelligence to make nude movies and images of female celebrities under new legislation that seeks to curb the spread of deepfake pornography.

Cornelius Shannon, 51, and Arturo Hernandez, 20, were identified in criminal papers as both being arrested on Tuesday for creating sexually obscene AI content that had millions of views online.

The individuals — who don’t seem to be affiliated with each other — are among the first defendants to face charges under the Take It Down Act, a bill enacted last year by President Donald Trump that imposes tougher penalties for publishing AI-generated deepfakes and “revenge porn.”

The bill had support from both parties and the backing of First Lady Melania Trump.