By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Independent’s reporting highlights Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s growing influence as she spearheads the DEFIANCE Act, a bill aimed at banning nonconsensual deepfake sexually explicit images. This legislation has gained momentum due to the proliferation of such images generated by AI tools like Elon Musk’s Grok. Ocasio-Cortez has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and even Rep. Nancy Mace. Despite past opposition, Ocasio-Cortez is now a key figure, influencing policy and shaping the narrative on critical issues like healthcare and immigration.
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AOC’s bill to ban deepfake AI porn passed the Senate. Why is the House taking so long? Well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The Senate’s already given the thumbs up to a bill aimed at outlawing deepfake AI porn, but the House seems to be dragging its feet. What gives?
It appears that a significant part of the delay stems from the alleged interests of certain House members. Some whispers suggest that some GOP members are actively creating deepfakes, seemingly using them for personal use, which could complicate their stance on such a bill. There’s a theory that some are even concerned about the bill’s impact on their access to this kind of content, and how it might affect their ability to… enjoy their private time.
The issue of deepfake AI porn touches on some significant points of contention. Some believe the bill places a burden on AI companies to regulate their products, a point of concern for those who might prefer a more hands-off approach to tech regulation. Additionally, the prevalence of deepfake “revenge porn” created by what’s described as “toxic men” adds another layer of complexity. The argument is often made that the House is slower because certain members are more inclined to side with these “toxic men.”
Another important factor could be the potential for the tools used to monitor deepfake AI porn to also monitor the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). It’s believed that if AI companies are detecting deepfake porn and CSAM, they’re recording it, and leaks could occur. This may be a tricky area for certain members. Some speculate that these individuals are more interested in protecting their donors than stopping the spread of CSAM.
One simple explanation is the political climate. Outlawing AI deepfakes could potentially interfere with what some might consider their strategies for the upcoming midterm elections. Some believe that banning deepfakes is not a priority for some members of the House, as this would impact their campaign plans, which would be disrupted. It has also been speculated that a significant number of House members would rather avoid appearing to give the Democrats a win in an election year.
There are also the practical hurdles. Some suggest that the House is moving slowly because some members may not fully understand the technology involved. Perhaps they need time to understand what AI is, the internet, digital photos, and computers before they can properly address the issue. The reality is that passing legislation isn’t always quick, even when there’s broad agreement on the underlying problem. It can be a time-consuming process involving committees, debates, and amendments.
Then, there’s the possibility that some members are simply stalling, hoping to avoid a vote altogether. Some are waiting for the “porn payout” before moving forward, while others are trying to build up a collection of the content before it’s banned. Some are still in the phase of “studying the evidence”, which they claim is necessary for “due diligence.”
Finally, some suggest that the historical success rate of bills becoming law is also a factor. With only about 7% of introduced bills actually becoming law, it’s not unusual for the House to take its time, as the chances of the bill actually becoming law may not be high. Additionally, the idea is that the Senate, once they pass the bill, rarely does their part once it gets to the House, which can also be a deterrent to quick action.
Ultimately, the delay in the House may be due to a combination of factors: the complexities of the technology, the political landscape, and the interests of some House members. Whether these delays are due to a misunderstanding of the technology, a desire to protect certain agendas, or simply a slow-moving legislative process, one thing is clear: the House is taking its time on a bill that the Senate has already approved.