TV personality Vicky Pattison is making headlines for her bold and controversial decision to release her own deepfake sex tape, aiming to spotlight the alarming issue of deepfake pornography through her new documentary titled Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape. Slated to air on Channel 4 on January 28, the documentary seeks to explore how this cutting-edge technology, often misused, affects women and girls.
The 37-year-old former Geordie Shore star has made the brave choice to direct and produce her explicit video, which will superimpose her likeness onto the body of another actor using artificial intelligence. This effort, according to Pattison, is not just for shock value; it’s intended to provide personal insight on the trauma and violation experienced by victims of image-based abuse.
Pattison emphasized the deeply personal nature of her project, saying, “I am hugely passionate about women’s issues and have found myself increasingly disturbed by how prevalent the problem of deepfake porn is becoming.” She added, “This is just the latest trend in the abuse of women and having met some of the inspirational women who have put their lives back together after being victims of sexually explicit deepfake abuse, I feel more strongly than ever...we need to stand with these women.”
Critics have raised concerns about Pattison's decision. Jodie, a survivor of synthetic intimate image abuse, condemned the choice to create the porn video, labeling it as “deeply disrespectful” and claiming it risks misrepresenting the serious issue she aims to illuminate. “Survivor organizations, including those I work with, strongly advised against this approach,” Jodie stated, reflecting the worries of various campaign groups who caution against increasing traffic to sites profiting from non-consensual abuse.
Despite the backlash, Channel 4 emphasized the importance of the documentary, stating it aims to bring real stories from survivors of image-based abuse to light. A spokesperson remarked, “The reality of deepfake abuse is alarming and growing... this documentary... aims to tackle this issue.” They also noted the program's timeliness, coinciding with government discussions about potential regulations on deepfake pornography.
The documentary promises to present harrowing accounts from women who have encountered deepfake abuse, underscoring the severity of the issue. Pattison plans to meet with multiple victims throughout her filming, gathering firsthand insights to amplify the stories often overlooked.
One of Pattison’s strongest motivations for this initiative stems from the shocking statistics surrounding deepfake pornography. Reports indicate nearly 4,000 celebrities, including innocents, have been victims of AI-generated explicit content, and more than 90 percent of these victims are women. These statistics align with broader discussions about privacy violations and the abuse of technology.
Pattison candidly shared, “This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made...I wanted to expose the devastating reality of deepfake pornography: content made without consent, created with alarming ease using readily available technology.” She continued, “While I know this doesn’t compare to the distress and horror actual victims feel when they discover this content of themselves, I hope it will give some insight to what they go through.”
Her documentary aims to do more than just tell her own story. Pattison expressed her desire to advocate for stronger protections for women and those affected by image-based abuse. “We need stronger laws. We need tech companies to step up. We need society to wake up,” she pleaded. “This isn’t just technology gone rogue; it’s abuse. And it’s thriving.”
The urgency of her appeal is underscored by the UK government's recent commitment to investigate legislative measures to criminalize the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes. Pattison’s documentary arrives at what advocates see as a pivotal moment for addressing this increasingly prevalent sexual crime.
Phil Mount, the creative director at Potato, the production company behind Pattison’s documentary, highlighted his pride to be involved. He stated, “We hope this documentary not only educates but sparks meaningful dialogue about the ethical challenges posed by this modern era.”
For Pattison, the and potential outcomes of her documentary are personal and poignant. She hopes to drive societal change and encourage empathy toward victims of deepfake pornography. “This film is my plea for action,” she noted, highlighting the need for systems of support for victims and proactive engagement from lawmakers and tech companies alike.
With the premiere of Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape on the horizon, the anticipation is palpable. Will audience responses align with Pattison's hopes for change, or will the controversy overshadow her message? One thing is certain: the documentary is set to stir conversation about the crossroads of technology, consent, and the abuse of power within our society.