Making deepfake images is increasingly easy – controlling their use is proving all but impossible

Amelia and April Maddison photographed on the Gold Coast this month. The twins, who make content for Instagram and OnlyFans, have had their images stolen to make a custom generative AI model. Photograph: Paul Harris/The Guardian

“Very creepy,” was April’s first thought when she saw her face on a generative AI website.

April is one half of the Maddison twins. She and her sister Amelia make content for OnlyFans, Instagram and other platforms, but they also existed as a custom generative AI model – made without their consent.