State Rep. Matthew Bierlein has introduced bipartisan plans that provide vital protections for Michigan residents and families against modern abuse in an ever-changing, technological world.

House Bills 4047-48 create criminal penalties and allow for civil action for the nonconsensual creation and dissemination of “deep fake” images or videos that are sensitive in nature or feature intimate parts of an individual.

Deep fakes are highly realistic, computer-generated images that can make it appear as though an individual is engaging in activities they never participated in, including sexual activities. Currently, there are no laws in place in Michigan that prevent individuals from sharing these types of deep fake images or videos, even if an individual hasn’t consented to the creation or sharing of it.

“This can lead to serious emotional, physical and reputational harm for people who did not consent to this material,” said Bierlein, of Vassar. “These plans update our laws to meet rapidly evolving technology and protect people and their families from falling victim to misuses and abuses. They ensure people can seek justice, instead of seeing a person who is responsible for these types of depraved acts avoid accountability because our state simply lacks laws to address this.”

In the summer of 2023, the FBI warned Americans that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images to intimidate and extort victims. The Bureau reported an uptick in cases where victims had been targeted using doctored versions of innocent images taken from online posts, private messages or video chats.

The FBI concluded in their report that these crimes can lead victims to self-harm and have led to suicide. From October 2021 to March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations received over 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors. This sextortion involved at least 12,600 victims and led to at least 20 suicides. Some of those deaths have occurred in Michigan.

HBs 4047-48 have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.