A call to action has been made by a human rights group urging the Australian government to promptly establish laws regarding the use of children’s images.
According to Human Rights Watch, Australian children’s images are being utilized to develop powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tools without parental consent or awareness. The organization has revealed that photos are being extracted from the internet and incorporated into extensive data sets that companies can utilize to train generative AI systems. Subsequently, these tools can be employed to create deepfake images, placing children at risk of exploitation.
Human Rights Watch researcher Hye Jung Han emphasized the importance of protecting children’s data from AI-driven misuse, stating, “Children should not have to live in fear that their photos might be stolen and weaponized against them.”
A study conducted by Human Rights Watch discovered 190 photos of Australian children in the LAION-5B training data set for AI, ranging from newborns to school students in various costumes. This misuse of images highlights the necessity for legislation to safeguard children’s online privacy.
Australian data scientist Ian Oppermann pointed out the unintended consequences of data harvesting for AI creation, emphasizing the need for a more thoughtful approach to online data sharing.
Meanwhile, Ms. Han emphasized the rights of children to safety both offline and online, stressing the importance of legislative changes, regulatory measures, and industry practices to prevent future violations.
In response to these concerns, the federal government is set to introduce Privacy Act reforms to Parliament, including the implementation of the Children’s Online Privacy Code. This initiative follows recent laws in Australia criminalizing the production and dissemination of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake content.
Overall, it is crucial for authorities, parents, and policymakers to address the risks posed by the unauthorized use of children’s images in AI development and take proactive steps to protect children’s privacy and safety in the digital age.
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