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What Is The Leaked Bobbi Althoff Video Going Viral On Social Media? The Controversial AI-Generated Video Explained
Podcast host and interviewer Bobbi Althoff is the latest subject of a purported leak as social media users share a video that appears to show her in an intimate situation.
However, while the video is undeniably lewd, it is a deepfake made using artificial intelligence, inspiring further debates over the ethics and legality of making and sharing deepfaked adult content featuring real people. Here's what you need to know.
What Is The 'Bobbi Althoff Leaked Video?'
The leaked AI video of Bobbi Althoff first started going around on X (Twitter) on February 20th. The first known user to share it is @destroynectar, who posted it with the caption, "Bobbi Althoff got leaked (don't check hidden)," using reverse psychology to try and get people to check the hidden replies for the video. By checking the replies, users are met with a video that appears to show Althoff in an intimate situation with herself.
The video was quickly hit with a community note confirming it's an AI-generated deepfake. Althoff also confirmed this herself through an Instagram Story, where she writes, "Hate to disappoint you all, but the reason I'm trending is 100% not me and is definitely AI generated." This hasn't stopped the video from spreading as engagement bait as some users promise to send the video to anyone who leaves a comment.
Is It Illegal To Post Lewd AI-Generated Videos Of People?
AI-generated "leaks" and lewd content of celebrities have been going increasingly viral lately and drawing controversy, with a recent example being Taylor Swift. Many are wondering if making or sharing this type of content is even legal.
Currently, there are no laws in North America that bar the creation or sharing of adult, AI-generated deepfake content, even if the content depicts a celebrity or real person. The increasing presence of this content has inspired a lot of push to get a law against the content enacted, but as of 2024, it's up to individual platforms to control this content.
For example, when AI images of Taylor Swift were going viral, X blocked all search queries for the artist's name to stop people from finding or spreading the images. Similarly, it appears that searches for "Bobbi Althoff leak" have also been banned from the app. While this doesn't stop people from finding the video with 100% accuracy, it's at least a good first step in combating this kind of AI-generated content.
Bobbi Althoff recently responded further to the leaks through a video posted to her Instagram Story. In the video, she explains that her team called her to ask if it was real and expresses shock that people fell for it, calling it "so graphic."
— sanji⚡️ (@nbasanji) February 21, 2024
For the full history of the Bobbi Althoff leaked video, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.
