Major AI Deepfake Takedown
Manhattan Prosecutors Seize Twelve Websites Distributing AI Generated Non Consensual Sexual Deepfakes
Anonymous
Key Points
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The investigation was triggered by one survivor’s complaint after she discovered that images of her appeared on one of the sites; prosecutors said the survivor’s report led directly to the seizures.
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The seized sites openly branded themselves as deepfake-pornography platforms, using names such as “AI Celebs,” “All Deepfake” and “Deepfake Porn.”
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No one has been charged. Bragg said investigators are examining the broader “infrastructure of crime,” including the companies or individuals hosting the material and other related operations.
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The domain seizures were conducted under a New York law prohibiting the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images, an offense that can carry a misdemeanor conviction and up to one year in jail.
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The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said the domains were seized pursuant to a court order and directed survivors to its Cyber Crime Bureau at 212-335-9600.
Manhattan prosecutors seized 12 websites distributing AI-generated sexual deepfakes of about 1,200 real people, mostly women and including celebrities, politicians, and athletes, according to The Record. District Attorney Alvin Bragg called it the largest known takedown of deepfake porn websites and urged victims to report to his office.
The seizure marks a rare win against the rapidly spreading deepfake industry, which continues to outpace laws designed to stop it. No charges have been filed yet, but Mercury News reported that prosecutors are hunting the operators and infrastructure behind the sites.
One Survivor's Report Sparked the Takedown
The investigation began after a single victim discovered her images on one of the sites. She reported it to authorities, which triggered the broader investigation into all 12 domains. Fox 5 NY reported that her complaint directly led to the seizures of sites openly branded as deepfake-pornography platforms.
Twelve Websites Brazenly Sold Fake Sexual Content
The seized sites used names like "AI Celebs," "All Deepfake," and "Deepfake Porn" to market their illegal services. According to The Record, the websites sold and distributed hyper-realistic AI-generated sexual images and videos created without victims' consent, targeting women overwhelmingly across entertainment, politics, and sports.
Prosecutors Target the Full Criminal Network
District Attorney Bragg said investigators are examining the broader "infrastructure of crime" behind the sites. Mercury News reported that prosecutors are pursuing the hosting companies, payment processors, and other operations supporting the deepfake business — not just the domain operators themselves.
No charges have been filed yet. The domains were seized under a New York law banning unlawful dissemination of intimate images, which carries up to one year in jail for a misdemeanor conviction.
Deepfake Tools Racing Ahead of the Law
The seizure highlights a growing problem: AI nudification and deepfake tools spread faster than regulations can control them. Fox 5 NY noted that this takedown represents a historic enforcement effort, but federal laws requiring platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery remain difficult to enforce at scale across the internet.
Bragg's office opened a hotline for victims at 212-335-9600 through its Cyber Crime Bureau. Survivors can report abuse and join the investigation into the criminal operators behind the deepfake sites.
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