At a Glance
- Jenna Ortega deleted her Twitter account due to AI-generated explicit images of herself as a minor.
- The scandal underscores the dangers of AI misuse and the need for stricter regulations.
- Ortega’s experience draws attention to the broader issue of nonconsensual deepfakes.
- She continues to advocate for better online privacy and security measures.
Jenna Ortega and the AI-Generated Image Scandal
Jenna Ortega, known for her roles in popular series like “Wednesday,” has deleted her Twitter account following a distressing encounter with AI-generated explicit images of herself as a minor. These malicious images were neither true nor consensually created, but their impact on Ortega has been profoundly negative.
Ortega recounted that her very first direct message on Twitter at age 12 was an unsolicited explicit image. This incident marked the beginning of an ongoing struggle with online harassment and exploitation, worsened by AI technologies. The situation deteriorated further following the release of “Wednesday” in 2022, ultimately leading her to abandon the social media platform.
Jenna Ortega Quit Twitter After Seeing Explicit AI Photos of Herself as a Teen: It's 'Dirty Edited Content' and 'It’s Terrifying. It’s Corrupt. It’s Wrong' https://t.co/eNegvushw4
— Variety (@Variety) August 25, 2024
The Misuse of AI Technologies
Ortega has been vocal about the dual-edged nature of AI technologies. While recognizing their potential for positive applications, she denounced their misuse online. “I hate AI,” she said in a recent interview. “AI could be used for incredible things… But it should not be something that leads to the exploitation of individuals.”
“It was disgusting, and it made me feel bad. It made me feel uncomfortable. Anyway, that’s why I deleted it, because I couldn’t say anything without seeing something like that. So one day I just woke up, and I thought, ‘Oh, I don’t need this anymore.’ So I dropped it.”
The repercussions of such AI-generated content extend beyond celebrities like Ortega. Teen girls across U.S. schools have also been targeted, leading some states to enact legislation against deepfake pornography. However, legal recourse remains inconsistent, pointing to an urgent need for comprehensive legislation.
Actor Jenna Ortega said she deleted X, then known as Twitter, after a "terrifying" experience encountering AI-generated pornographic images of herself on the platform when she was a minor. https://t.co/e6b6aLXazP
— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) August 26, 2024
A Broader Call to Action
Ortega’s experience isn’t isolated; it sheds light on the broader issue of nonconsensual deepfakes affecting women and girls worldwide. Research indicates a troubling increase in the number of nonconsensual deepfake videos, with Ortega being one of the top 40 targeted celebrity women.
Efforts are being made to tackle this issue at a legislative level. Democratic Rep. Joseph Morelle has proposed the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act to criminalize the sharing of digitally altered explicit images. Meanwhile, Ortega maintains her presence on Instagram, highlighting her ongoing efforts to protect herself and advocate for stronger online security measures.
Sources
Jenna Ortega says she deleted Twitter after seeing explicit AI images of herself as a minor
Jenna Ortega reveals she was sent ‘dirty edited content’ of herself as a child: ‘Repulsive’