Jenna Ortega Quits X Over AI-Generated Explicit Images, Raises Concerns About Platform Safety
Staff Editor Jenna Ortega Reveals Reason for Deleting X Account: AI-Generated Explicit Images
Actress Jenna Ortega has recently disclosed the disturbing reason behind her decision to delete her X (formerly Twitter) account. In a candid interview on The New York Times’s “The Interview” podcast, the 21-year-old star shared her unsettling experiences with artificial intelligence-generated content on the platform.
Ortega, known for her roles in “Wednesday” and “Scream VI,” expressed her strong aversion to AI technology, particularly its misuse in creating explicit, manipulated images. The actress revealed that she had received AI-generated images of herself as a child, describing the experience as “terrifying” and “disgusting.”
The former Disney Channel star recounted that her introduction to social media was initially career-driven. At the age of 12, she was advised to join Twitter to build her public image. However, her experience quickly turned sour when the first direct message she received contained an unsolicited explicit photo.
Ortega stated that she ultimately deleted her account “about two, three years ago” due to an “influx” of “absurd images and photos” she was receiving. The persistent nature of this inappropriate content led to her decision to leave the platform entirely.
This incident highlights a growing concern in the entertainment industry regarding the misuse of AI technology. Earlier this year, similar issues arose when Taylor Swift’s likeness was used in sexually explicit AI-generated images that went viral on X. The platform temporarily blocked searches for Swift’s name and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for Non-Consensual Nudity (NCN) content.
In response to these incidents, there have been calls for new legislation to combat the threats posed by deepfakes. Democratic Rep. Joseph Morelle proposed the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act in 2023, which would criminalize the intentional sharing of digitally altered explicit images. The bill is currently under review by the House Committee on the Judiciary.
As AI technology continues to advance, the entertainment industry and lawmakers are grappling with the challenges of protecting individuals from its potential misuse, particularly in the realm of non-consensual explicit content.
