Des Moines, Iowa, August 19, 2025 — As Iowa students gear up for the new school year, Attorney General Brenna Bird is sounding the alarm on the growing threat of deepfake artificial intelligence (AI) images used for bullying and harassment. The rise of this technology has sparked concerns about its potential to harm students through the creation and spread of realistic but fabricated images or videos.

With classrooms reopening, Bird is urging parents and schools to stay vigilant about the risks posed by deepfakes, particularly those involving non-consensual nude or sexually explicit content. Such images can have a profound and lasting impact on victims, especially young students.

“Deepfakes used for bullying are not a harmless prank. It’s a criminal act with real consequences,” Attorney General Bird said. “The start of the school year is a critical time for parents to discuss overall online safety with their children, but it’s also important to know what to do if your child is the victim of a deepfake. We are committed to protecting Iowa’s kids and holding offenders accountable.”

Deepfake Harassment: A Growing Concern

Deepfakes, which use AI to create highly realistic fake media, have become an increasing problem in schools. These images can be used to humiliate, harass, or intimidate students, often spreading rapidly through social media platforms. The emotional toll on victims can be devastating, and the legal consequences for perpetrators are severe.

Legal Protections in Iowa and Beyond

In Iowa, creating or sharing deepfake images depicting nudity or sexual content is a crime. If committed by an adult, this offense can result in placement on the sex offender registry. At the federal level, President Trump signed the “TAKE IT DOWN Act” earlier this year, making it a federal crime to publish or threaten to share non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes. Starting in May 2026, social media platforms and websites will be required to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s notification.

Resources for Victims

Attorney General Bird highlighted several resources available to victims of deepfake harassment:

• For victims under 18, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates the “Take It Down” service at takeitdown.ncmec.org. This platform helps remove and prevent the spread of sexually explicit images of minors.

• For adult victims, a similar resource is available at stopncii.org.

• Victims are encouraged to report incidents to local law enforcement immediately to ensure swift action.

A Call to Action for Parents and Schools

As the school year begins, Bird emphasized the importance of proactive conversations about online safety. Parents are urged to educate their children about the risks of deepfakes and to monitor their online activity closely. Schools, too, play a critical role in fostering a safe environment and addressing incidents of cyberbullying promptly.

“We must work together to protect our kids from the dangers of deepfake technology,” Bird said. “By staying informed and vigilant, we can ensure that Iowa’s students can focus on learning and growing in a safe environment.”

For more information or to report deepfake-related crimes, contact your local law enforcement agency or visit the resources listed above.

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