The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has seized the domains of 12 websites allegedly used to create, sell and distribute AI-generated deepfake videos featuring approximately 1,200 real people without their consent. Authorities said the websites were used to publish and sell non-consensual intimate imagery created with artificial intelligence tools.
The seizure, announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr., involves what the office described as the largest known seizure of websites dedicated to AI-generated celebrity deepfakes to date. The investigation remains ongoing.
AI-Generated Deepfake Videos Target 1,200 People
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, individuals under investigation allegedly used AI image and video creation tools to transform existing photographs and videos of around 1,200 people into hyper-realistic images and videos depicting them engaging in sexual conduct.
The websites were allegedly dedicated almost exclusively to deepfake pornography and explicitly promoted AI-generated content. The material was then distributed, published and sold through the websites.
The approximately 1,200 people affected were overwhelmingly women, according to the D.A.’s Office. Many were public-facing individuals, including actors, politicians, athletes, musicians, social justice advocates and social media influencers.
The office said the images and videos were created without the knowledge or consent of the people depicted.
12 Domains Seized Under Court Order
The Manhattan D.A.’s Office said the 12 domains were seized pursuant to a court order as part of the criminal investigation.
Authorities said they will continue monitoring the websites to prevent the operations from returning under different domain names.
The office is also urging people who believe they were affected to contact its Cyber Crime Bureau at 212-335-9600.
The investigation comes as authorities examine websites allegedly built around the creation and distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery using artificial intelligence.
District Attorney Bragg said the office would continue investigating the websites and similar operations. He also called on people affected by the websites to come forward.
Manhattan D.A. Expands Domain Seizures
The Cyber Crime Bureau has previously seized domains connected to other criminal investigations, according to the D.A.’s Office.
Those cases included 12 domains from five online vendors accused of selling stolen credit and debit card information and personal identifying information. The office said those operations involved more than one million stolen cards belonging to people across the United States, including tens of thousands of New Yorkers.
The bureau also seized the domain associated with Coin Dispute Network. The company was later indicted, along with its creators Michael Lauchlan and Gary Zaydman, over allegations that it stole from customers by falsely claiming it could trace and recover cryptocurrency for a fee.
In the current investigation, Assistant District Attorneys Lotus Ho and Katherine Ellis are handling the case under the supervision of senior officials within the Cyber Crime Bureau and Investigation Division.
The D.A.’s Office said its investigation into the 12 AI-generated deepfake websites and other potentially related operations is continuing.
