Actress Jenna Ortega deleted her Twitter account after encountering disturbing AI-generated explicit images of herself as a minor, describing the experience as 'terrifying' and a result of ongoing deepfake abuse targeting women and girls.

Ortega's decision to leave the platform highlights a troubling trend in which nonconsensual AI-generated imagery is increasingly used to exploit and objectify women, particularly minors. With research indicating a surge in such explicit deepfakes in 2023 alone, the incident underscores the urgent need for discussions around online safety, consent, and the ethical implications of AI technology.

Ortega detailed a troubling experience from her early days on social media, revealing that the first direct message she opened on Twitter at the tender age of 12 was an unsolicited photo of a man's genitals. This incident marked the beginning of her struggle with explicit unwanted content online, a problem that has only escalated since then.

She further explained that following the release of the Netflix series 'Wednesday' in 2022, there was a notable increase in the number of explicit images targeting her. Ortega expressed her discomfort, stating the influx made her feel bad and uncomfortable, illustrating the reality many women face on social media platforms when they become public figures.

'I found it corrupt and wrong,' Ortega emphasized, indicating how deeply the situation affected her mental well-being. Her sentiments reflect those of many others who have encountered similar issues, drawing attention to the damaging effects of nonconsensual pornography and AI misuse.

In the wake of her experiences, Ortega’s dislike for AI became evident. While she acknowledged that AI technology could have beneficial uses, she stressed that it has been significantly abused, leading to severe implications for countless individuals, particularly young women and minors. The dual-edged nature of AI technology highlights the need for broader discussions about its ethical usage.

Ortega's decision to delete her Twitter account was a proactive step in her journey to safeguard herself from such invasive content. As she stated, taking care of one's mental health and establishing boundaries are crucial aspects of navigating the digital landscape, especially for those in the public eye.

The rise of nonconsensual AI-generated deepfakes has become a concerning trend in recent years. Discussions surrounding this issue have increased, particularly regarding the targeted harassment of women and girls. Research in 2023 showed that more nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfake videos were posted online than in all previous years combined, raising alarms among advocates and lawmakers alike.

Notably, Ortega has found herself among the most victimized female celebrities on a major deepfake website, ranking within the top 40. This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of this problem and the urgent need for action against such content, which continues to proliferate online.

In response to these challenges, activists and organizations are calling for stricter regulations and better protections for individuals affected by deepfakes. Legal reforms are being proposed to hold creators of nonconsensual pornography accountable and to establish clearer definitions of consent in the context of emerging technologies. These efforts aim to create safer online spaces and establish more robust frameworks for addressing abuses.