U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, along with seven other Democratic senators, is urging major tech and social media companies to crack down on the growing use of artificial intelligence to create non-consensual, sexualized images.
In a letter to the companies, the senators cited reports that AI tools, including Grok, were generating about one non-consensual, sexualized image per minute. They warned that the content could violate U.S. laws related to child sexual abuse material and nonconsensual intimate imagery.
“Americans should be able to post images of themselves and their children online without fear of fake, sexualized images being produced by bullies and pedophiles,” Gillibrand said. “Platforms have a responsibility to stop their AI tools from being used to harass, exploit, and endanger people. We must work together to remove this content, shut down abusers, and protect Americans and minors from harm.”
The letter was also signed by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, and Adam Schiff of California.
The senators are asking platforms to explain how they plan to remove non-consensual AI-generated images, prevent their distribution, and notify victims when images of them are created.
They also raised particular concern about AI-generated images depicting people without consent, including sexualized images of underage girls, and pointed to reports of accounts tied to off-platform groups selling illegal material. The lawmakers said the situation reflects a broader crisis of image-based abuse fueled by AI, threatening both user safety and the integrity of online platforms.
“As policymakers, we are working to address this issue for our constituents,” the senators wrote. “Protecting the privacy, dignity, and safety of individuals, especially women and minors, is a responsibility shared by platforms, policymakers, and the broader ecosystem.”
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
