VICKY PATTISON RELEASES DEEPFAKE SEX TAPE AS PART OF CHANNEL 4 DOCUMENTARY

Vicky Pattison is to present a sensitive and impactful new authored documentary, Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape, examining the proliferation of deepfake porn and the impact it is having on women and girls.

 In order to fully immerse herself in this world, and properly understand the depth of shock and violation victims of image-based abuse feel, Vicky is taking matters into her own hands by directing, producing and distributing her own deepfake porn video.

To ensure that the production of this video is fully consensual, her likeness in the video is portrayed by an actor, with AI technology used to insert Vicky’s face. She will release the video herself on social media, to understand the way this content spreads online and to learn more about how to get these kinds of images and videos taken down.

But this problem does not just affect famous people. As well as meeting Cara Hunter, a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland, who was victim of image-based abuse in 2022, and Channel 4 News presenter, Cathy Newman, who discovered she was also a victim of deepfake porn last year, Vicky will also meet and speak to women not in the public eye, who have found themselves subject to image-based abuse. These women are often targeted by friends, family and those closest to them.

Vicky Pattison said: “I am hugely passionate about women’s issues, and have found myself increasingly disturbed by how prevalent the problem of deepfake porn is becoming...

"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 that we need to stand with these women and continue to put pressure on the greater powers within the government to catch up with the speed at which this technology is advancing.”

“As part of the documentary, I have made the challenging decision to release my own deepfake sex tape online, which I directed and produced with actors to ensure the process was fully consensual from start to finish...

"I wrestled with this decision for a long time, mulling over the permanence of it, and ultimately coming to accept the fact that this content may live online forever. Whilst 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 into what they go through.”

“I want this documentary to bring attention to the imbalance of power and encourage society, lawmakers, and tech companies to provide stronger protections and support for those who are affected. My goal is to foster empathy and drive action and to contribute to a larger movement for justice and change, so victims feel supported, understood, and empowered to reclaim their voices and control.”

Shaminder Nahal, Head of Specialist Factual at Channel 4 said: “Depressingly, almost every day, we hear about women being abused in different ways, and it’s a priority for me as a commissioner to try to expose and address issues around women and violence, and to explore what can be done...

"We are hugely grateful to Vicky for immersing herself in the subject of image-based abuse in the most provocative and visceral way possible. I hope that this bold and thoughtful film will offer real insights, spark debate and move the discussion about deepfake pornography forward at a time when technology is moving so fast, we don’t even know where it will take us.”

Phil Mount, Creative Director at Potato said: “We are immensely privileged to be a part of telling this brave and harrowing exploration of the darker side of technological advancement. Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing both groundbreaking opportunities and, at times, deeply troubling consequences...

"Vicky Pattison and the courageous participants who have lent their voices to this project have been instrumental in shining a light on an increasingly topical subject. We hope this documentary not only educates but sparks meaningful dialogue about the ethical challenges posed in this modern era.”

Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape will be available to watch and stream on Channel 4 at 10pm on Tuesday 28th January