Most mornings, before heading into City Hall in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Sabrina Javellana, a young city commissioner, would sit in the parking lot checking her social media accounts. Javellana, elected at 21, faced threats due to her progressive views. Her advocacy for change led to online harassment and even violent threats.
The morning of Feb. 5, 2021, Javellana received a disturbing message alerting her to deepfake images being circulated online. These manipulated images, created using A.I., depicted her in explicit and demeaning scenarios. The shock of seeing her likeness altered in such a degrading way left Javellana feeling violated and vulnerable.
Despite facing previous online abuse, the deepfake incident took a toll on Javellana’s sense of security. The malicious intent behind these digitally altered images, combined with the explicit comments accompanying them, pushed her to take extra precautions in her daily life.
Javellana’s experience sheds light on the dark reality of deepfake technology and its potential to harm individuals. The incident highlighted the urgent need for stronger measures to combat digital harassment and protect victims.
As Javellana grappled with the aftermath of the deepfake harassment, she took steps to safeguard her privacy and online presence. The violation she experienced serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by malicious actors exploiting advanced technology for nefarious purposes.
