One of the most powerful levers for combating deepfake marketplaces is financial pressure. Both Visa and Mastercard have policies prohibiting their cards from being used for nonconsensual content, yet Fan‑Topia continues to advertise both as payment methods. After the March 2023 NBC News investigation, Fan‑Topia temporarily took down major accounts, but they quickly returned under the “hidden links” system. This cat‑and‑mouse game highlights the need for more aggressive enforcement and potentially legislative mandates requiring payment processors to proactively monitor and block transactions for illegal deepfakes.
The Elizabeth Olsen deepfake phenomenon serves as a fascinating case study, highlighting the complexities and challenges surrounding AI-generated content. As a celebrity, Olsen's experience with deepfakes raises important questions about the intersection of technology, identity, and culture.