Channel 4 shares statement after releasing Vicky Pattison's pornographic deepfake video 'despite multiple warnings'
‘Despite multiple warnings’, Vicky Pattison’s pornographic deepfake video was released last week.
And it led to the star being met with backlash as both she and Channel 4 have now spoken out.
Pattison directed, produced and distributed the explicit video using artificial intelligence to superimpose her face onto the actor portraying her likeness.
Having ‘wrestled with the decision’ to do so, this was posted to social media for her upcoming documentary Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape.
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The Channel 4 release is set to explore the issue surrounding deepfakes and its effect on women and girls.
However, many have criticised the video’s release as ‘disrespectful’. And ‘deepfake image abuse survivor-campaigner’ Jodie told LADbible she felt ‘deeply offended’ by the decision.
She added that she and other survivor organisations had ‘strongly advised against this approach’ and said: “While Vicky’s intentions may have been to raise awareness, this decision by Channel 4 feels like a betrayal to survivors like me who have fought tirelessly for recognition, dignity, and justice.”
After releasing this video despite these warnings, a Channel 4 spokesperson told LADbible: “We understand that there have been varying views on this approach. In this documentary, Vicky aims to demonstrate how simple it is to create explicit deepfake content and raise awareness of how accessible this content is and how it can proliferate online.
"She also wanted to experience, as closely as possible, the feelings, vulnerabilities and concerns that arise when one becomes a victim of deepfake porn.
"The documentary recreates this, in a controlled environment, to exemplify the ease with which this kind of content can spread online and to raise awareness by demonstrating actions people can take should they find themselves a victim of this crime.
"The choice to make original footage ensures that everyone involved was able to fully consent from the outset.”
And in response to claims it may be ‘disrespectful, they added: “The documentary hears directly from victims of image-based abuse, to ensure that victim’s stories are at the forefront of the purpose of the programme. In doing so, audiences will see first-hand testimony from those who have lived through this issue, thus raising the profile of the problem and the ways in which we must support victims, through better processes enforced on tech companies, government legislation, better education and activism.”
Pattison also told The Sun on Sunday: “The video itself has always been the part of the documentary I’ve wrestled with the most.
“So it isn’t a decision I made lightly, and it is one that I struggled with right until the end.
“I completely understand some people might be angry and upset about what we’ve done and I in no way want to diminish that. I’d never want to trivialise victims’ feelings.
“I had the privilege of speaking to brave survivors and a lot of them felt that creating the mock deepfake sex tape was a bold way to shine a much-needed spotlight on the issue.”
Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape will be available to watch and stream on Channel 4 at 10pm on 28 January.
Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Channel 4, Documentaries
Jess Battison