Paris Hilton took to Capitol Hill on Thursday, January 22, to advocate for the DEFIANCE Act, a significant piece of legislation led by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow lawmakers. This bill aims to empower victims of AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes, granting them the legal ability to take action against those who create and distribute such harmful content.
Hilton, who has previously used her platform for advocacy, shared her personal trauma stemming from the release of a private video in 2004 without her consent. She expressed the emotional scars that event left, noting that at the time, there were no protective laws in place nor language to articulate her abuse. “Coming back to the Capitol, I feel something new, strength,” Hilton remarked as she stood alongside Ocasio-Cortez, reinforcing the importance of this new legislation.
Reflecting on her past, Hilton said, “People called it a scandal. It wasn’t. It was abuse.” She recalled the humiliation she faced during that period and the significant harm done to her sense of safety and self-worth. The experience ignited a relentless fight to reclaim her narrative, which Hilton believed she had largely accomplished until the emergence of AI technology — a development that has made it increasingly easy to fabricate explicit content.
“The worst was behind me, but it wasn’t,” she stated, highlighting the growing issue of deepfake pornography. “Before, someone had to betray your trust and steal something real. Now all it takes is a computer and a stranger’s imagination. Deepfake pornography has become an epidemic.”
The DEFIANCE Act, if passed, would allow victims like Hilton to pursue legal remedies against perpetrators of AI-generated pornography. Hilton shared that over 100,000 explicit deepfake images of her exist, all created without her consent. “No amount of money or lawyers can stop it or protect me from more,” she emphasized.
The socialite pointed out a staggering statistic: one in eight girls experience the harms of deepfake pornography. She expressed deep concerns for the implications this has for women and girls today, including her own daughter, who is only two-and-a-half years old. “I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her. But I can’t protect her from this, not yet,” Hilton remarked passionately.
Hilton’s impassioned plea extended beyond her personal experiences; she spoke on behalf of those who lack the platform to voice their struggles. Acknowledging her privilege in having a public platform, she emphasized the need for justice and respect for all victims of media exploitation. “I will keep telling the truth to protect every woman, every girl, every survivor,” she affirmed.
Through her advocacy, Hilton not only aims to raise awareness about the dangers of AI-generated content but also seeks to foster a safer digital landscape for future generations. Her resilience and determination to galvanize change drive hopes for a future where victims are empowered and safeguarded against exploitation.