Summary:
Breeze Liu faced a nightmare after explicit videos of her were uploaded online without consent.
Her battle to remove 400 nonconsensual images spanned several years and involved multiple organizations.
Liu founded Alecto AI to combat digital abuse and help others in similar situations.
Despite progress, 142 URLs remain active on Microsoft’s Azure services due to communication issues.
Liu is advocating for legislative change to protect victims of nonconsensual content.
Breeze Liu's Ordeal
Breeze Liu’s online nightmare began with a shocking phone call in April 2020. At just 24 years old, she was informed by a college classmate that an explicit video of her was posted on PornHub under the title “Korean teen”. This video, filmed without her consent when she was just 17, spiraled out of control, leading to its spread across various pornographic websites and the creation of intimate deepfake videos.
The emotional toll was immense, with Liu admitting, “I honestly had to struggle with suicidal thoughts.”
The Long Fight for Justice
Removing approximately 400 nonconsensual images and videos from the internet became a daunting, multiyear task. Liu transitioned from a venture capitalist to an entrepreneur, founding her own company to combat digital abuse. However, her efforts to remove her own explicit content faced immense obstacles, particularly from Microsoft, which hosted many of the images on its Azure cloud services. Despite repeated requests, Microsoft allegedly delayed action until Liu confronted a high-ranking safety team member at a conference.
The Struggles of Victims
Liu’s experience highlights the complex challenges faced by victims of intimate image abuse. The lack of support from major companies, along with legal barriers, often leaves victims feeling powerless and frustrated. Liu’s case was complicated further by her age at the time of the filming, making it difficult for organizations to assist her.
A New Beginning with Alecto AI
After years of battling her past, Liu co-founded Alecto AI, a startup aimed at developing tools to help victims find and remove nonconsensual images online. With renewed determination, she sought help from various organizations, eventually collaborating with a French victim’s aid group, Point de Contact, which began to take action on her behalf in late 2023.
Progress and Challenges
By early 2024, significant progress was made, with many URLs being taken down. However, 142 URLs remained active on Microsoft’s services, and communication issues persisted. Liu’s case exemplifies the inadequacies in the current systems for addressing nonconsensual imagery.
Legislative Efforts
Despite the challenges, Liu has continued to advocate for legislative change. In December 2024, a proposal she supported to enforce the removal of unwanted explicit images was introduced in the US Congress, indicating a potential shift towards better protections for victims.
Liu’s journey is a testament to the ongoing struggle against digital abuse and the pressing need for systemic change in how technology companies handle nonconsensual content.
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