Gong-Gershowitz to Join White House Group Combatting Intimate Image Abuse Following Passage of Her “Deepfakes” Bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, is continuing her campaign to crack down on non-consensual digital image abuse, or “deepfakes” by traveling to Washington to join the White House State Legislative Convening on Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse. She interested in collaborating with local journalists to raise awareness of such a vital issue.

“Deepfakes are a new form of sexual exploitation and they have to stop,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “One chief step in pushing back against these violations is to raise awareness of the damage they can do. Media outlets interested in joining this effort should contact my office.”

Gong-Gershowitz will be joining a gathering of senior White House officials, subject matter experts, legal practitioners and other state legislators at the White House for a discussion of approaches to stopping the non-consensual spread of intimate images.

Gong-Gershowitz recently passed House Bill 2123 to create a civil cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, creates or solicits a digital forgery of another individual without their consent and for the purposes of harassing, extorting, threatening or causing harm to the falsely-depicted individual. Digital forgers can also be held liable if their actions are reckless or if they incite violence. Instance of parody or satire are not restricted by this legislation.