Taylor Swift Searches Return To X; “Re-Enabled” After Explicit AI Deepfakes Stripped Off Platform, For Now – Update

Bruce Haring and Dominic Patten

29 January 2024 at 9:25 pm·2-min read

UPDATE, 6: 25 PM: One day after Taylor Swift kind of took over the AFC Championship game between the victorious Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, X has made it possible to once again search for the superstar on the Elon Musk-owned platform.

Earlier on the weekend, X pulled the plug on looking for the much searched Swift after AI generated explicit images of the performer proliferated all over social media. Deeply disturbing, the deepfakes kept popping up as soon as they were excavated off one feed or another. So, X took the nuclear option.

More from Deadline

Swift said nothing.

Today, as real images of Swift celebrating the Chiefs’ win and entry into this year’s Super Bowl with boyfriend Travis Kelce, who is a tight end for KC, wallpapered the media, the social media outlet formerly known as Twitter said Swift searches are back.

“Search has been re-enabled and we will continue to be vigilant for any attempt to spread this content and will remove it if we find it,” the Linda Yaccarino-run firm said in a statement Monday evening.

AKA – Whac-A-Deepfake

PREVIOUSLY, JAN 27 PM: Taylor Swift’s image problem is apparently being cleaned up by the X social media platform.

On Saturday, searching “Taylor Swift” and “Taylor Swift AI” on the service triggered a message that read, “Something went wrong. Try reloading.” However, a search for “Taylor Swift pictures” brought up harmless fan shots of the singer.

The moves come as increasing calls to limit deepfakes on social media are mounting. SAG-AFTRA and the White House have stated their concerns, as has Microsoft’s CEO.

Deepfakes portraying Swift nude and in sexual scenarios were circulated on X Wednesday. Artificial intelligence tools can develop new, fake images from other photos. This week, dozens of graphic images were uploaded to Celeb Jihad showing Swift in compromising positions. The images spread to other social media as well.

The photos were viewed more than 27 million times and had more than 260,000 likes in 19 hours before the account that posted them was suspended.

The singer’s fans have flooded the hashtag “Taylor Swift AI” with positive messages about her, according to an analysis performed by Blackbird.AI. The hashtag “Protect Taylor Swift” also began to trend on X.

Best of Deadline

Australian Associated Press
Immigration detainee charged over alleged drug ring
Police allege an immigration detainee used an encrypted messaging service to deal drugs and co-ordinate a network of runners outside the facility.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie Chris Green stars with bat and ball for Rockets
Australian allrounder Chris Green has starred for the Trent Rockets in a 47-run win over the Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred at Headingley.
Australian Associated Press
Ferraris, Fiji and an Aussie 7s blue-collar rebirth
Australia's blue-collar men's rugby sevens team will face two-time defending champions Fiji in the Paris Olympics semi-finals.
Australian Associated Press
Trent Rockets' Australian trio in successful lift-off
Trent Rockets' Australian contingent of Alana King, Heather Green and Ash Gardner came to the fore in a 20-run victory over Northern Superchargers.
Australian Associated Press
Flame soars, rain falls in historic Paris Games opening
Cathy Freeman's former rival played a key role as rain tumbled and Paris's 2024 Olympic Games was officially opened, 100 years after it first played host.
Australian Associated Press
Seeing clearly: 20/20 vision restored for refugees
Newly arrived refugees have higher rates of eye problems than most Australians but a free service is restoring vision for those losing it.
Australian Associated Press
Choi opens up lead in Senior Open, Green hangs tough
South Korean K.J. Choi has opened up a two-shot lead at the Senior Open with Australian Richard Green three shots behind at Carnoustie.
Australian Associated Press
Fire water set for Port Philip Bay and agriculture
Millions of litres of water from a large factory fire is being treated before it's released into the Port Philip Bay or used for industrial purposes.
Australian Associated Press
A week in Wayne's world inspires All Blacks great Umaga
Tana Umaga, Moana Pasifika coach and All Blacks legend has spent a week with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins to soak up some cross-code benefits
Australian Associated Press
Mexico drug kingpin pleads not guilty to US charges
There are reports a younger man arrested alongside a Mexican drug cartel kingpin lured him to the US where both were arrested, as part of a plea bargain.
Australian Associated Press
Norris and Piastri deliver McLaren one-two in practice
Lando Norris leads home Oscar Piastri as the McLaren pair dominate second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Australian Associated Press
Three days of mourning after deadly Ethiopian landslide
At least 257 people have died in a devastating mudslide in Ethiopia, and the search for bodies continues.
Australian Associated Press
Trump touts ties to Israel's Netanyahu, blasts Harris
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dispelled rumours of tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they met in Florida.
Australian Associated Press
Windies strike back late on as England hit a wobble
England face a battle after losing late wickets to close the first day of the third Test on three for 38 having earlier swept West Indies away for 282
Australian Associated Press
Swimmers look to start gold rush on opening day
Australia's swimmers will be the stars of the show on the opening day of competition at the Paris Games as they chase four Olympic gold medals.
Australian Associated Press
Storm warning with Munster to take Hughes to next level
Jahrome Hughes has been one of the best players in the NRL in 2024, but his game could go to another level with Cameron Munster back on the field.
Australian Associated Press
President election, court feud hang over Libs meeting
Victorian Liberal president Philip Davis will face a challenge for his position as party leaders, MPs and rank-and-file members gather in Melbourne.
Australian Associated Press
'Mission Impossible': Ebden laughs off Djokovic task
Australian veteran Matt Ebden is laughing off the prospect of taking on Novak Djokovic in his first tour-level singles match for two years at the Olympics.
Australian Associated Press
Blues' flat midfield not a concern for coach Voss
Carlton's midfield have not been at their dynamic best in recent weeks but coach Michael Voss says that he isn't concerned.
Australian Associated Press
Power surge past Blues for crucial comeback win
Port Adelaide have ground their way to a hard-fought 14-point win over Carlton to keep themselves well and truly in the top four race.

Latest stories