Archive · 15 Sep 2026
New York Shuts 12 Websites Over AI Deepfake Abuse
New York authorities shut down 12 websites accused of making fake sexual images and videos.
The images used the faces and bodies of about 1,200 real people.
The people shown did not agree to appear in the images.
Most victims were women, including celebrities and other public figures.
A survivor reported the abuse, which helped start the investigation.
The websites had published or sold the fake material.
The websites now show notices saying authorities have taken control of them.
Officials said they will keep looking for the people who created or profited from the material.
New York authorities seized 12 websites accused of selling sexually explicit AI deepfakes.
Prosecutors say about 1,200 real people were targeted without their consent.
Victims were overwhelmingly women, including public figures such as actors, politicians and athletes.
The investigation began after a survivor reported the alleged abuse to authorities.
The seized domains now display court-ordered notices, while the investigation remains ongoing.
- Who
- New York authorities and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg targeted 12 websites and their operators.
- What
- Authorities seized websites accused of creating, publishing, distributing and selling non-consensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes.
- When
- The seizure was announced on Monday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The action took place in New York, and the seized websites were taken over under a court order.
- Why
- The websites allegedly profited from sexually explicit material made without the depicted people's consent.
- Websites seized
- 12 domains
- People targeted
- Around 1,200 real people
- Victim profile
- Victims were overwhelmingly women and mostly public-facing figures.
- Content involved
- AI-generated or digitally altered sexually explicit images and videos
- Legal authority
- The domains were seized under a warrant issued by a New York State Supreme Court judge.
- Investigation status
- The investigation into the websites and those creating or distributing the material remains ongoing.
- Trigger for investigation
- A survivor came forward and reported the alleged crime.