WASHINGTON, DC (July 31, 2024) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) commended Google for implementing significant updates to its policies and processes to combat sexually explicit deepfake and AI-generated content on its Search platform.
“This milestone achievement is a major victory in the ongoing fight against image-based sexual abuse (IBSA),” said Dawn Hawkins, CEO, National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
“We applaud Google for these critical updates and recognize the positive impact they will have on individuals affected by deepfake and AI-generated pornography. As technology has evolved, the risk of falling victim to image-based sexual abuse has escalated dramatically. In just the recent few years, hundreds of thousands have been victimized by this invasive form of exploitation. The emotional, psychological, and reputational harm inflicted by these non-consensual images is profound and far-reaching. This is why Google’s updates are not just timely but essential.”
Google has been on the Dirty Dozen List, and these updates were developed based on critical feedback from experts and survivor advocates, and they include several key improvements designed to protect individuals from the harmful impacts of explicit fake content:
- Explicit Result Filtering: When someone successfully requests the removal of an explicit deepfake image, Google will now aim to filter all explicit results on similar searches about that individual, significantly reducing the likelihood of re-exposure to harmful content.
- Deduplication: Google’s systems will automatically scan for and remove duplicate sexually explicit images that have already been successfully removed, providing more comprehensive protection for victims.
- Ranking Updates: Google is updating its ranking algorithms to demote explicit fake content, promoting high-quality, non-explicit content instead. This change ensures that harmful material is less likely to appear prominently in search results.
- Demotions: Websites with a high volume of removal requests will be demoted in search rankings, discouraging them from hosting explicit fake content and protecting individuals from repeated exposure.
“These changes are a direct result of Google’s commitment to listening to and acting upon the experiences and needs of IBSA survivors. By prioritizing survivor feedback, Google has taken an essential step towards creating a safer and more respectful digital environment,” Hawkins said.
“While this is a significant victory, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done in the fight against IBSA. We call on all tech companies, policymakers, and advocacy groups to continue working together to develop innovative solutions and robust support systems for those affected by image-based sexual abuse.”
The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit next week, Aug 5-8, 2024, brings together 500+ leaders from each of these sectors to further advocate for change as emerging technology and sexual exploitation collides.
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-partisan organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography. https://endsexualexploitation.org/
