Mr. Deepfakes, a leading site for nonconsensual deepfake adult content on the internet, has officially ceased operations.

The contentious platform, which showcased AI-generated pornographic material featuring the likenesses of celebrities and individuals without their permission, is no longer accessible. As noted by 404 Media, users attempting to visit the site are now sent to a closure notice detailing the shutdown.

Deepfakes are remarkably realistic videos crafted using machine learning techniques that can effectively swap one individual’s face with another’s. The technology gained traction on platforms such as Reddit in 2017, frequently used for entertainment—including a viral video featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger’s face superimposed on comedian Bill Hader’s during a late-night impersonation. However, this same technology was soon exploited to generate explicit content without the consent of those represented.

In reaction to the increasing abuse of such technology, Reddit prohibited deepfake pornography in 2018. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Deepfakes appeared, providing a new venue for users to create, share, and view this kind of material. The site functioned with a degree of invisibility, although a recent investigation by the German news outlet Der Spiegel reportedly identified the operator as a 36-year-old male residing in Toronto.

The closure announcement currently shown on the site indicates that the shutdown was not a voluntary decision. “A critical service provider has permanently terminated service,” the notice states. “Data loss has made it impossible to continue operation. We will not be relaunching. Any website claiming this is fake. This domain will eventually expire and we are not responsible for future use. This message will be removed around one week.”

The site did not specify which service provider was involved or the exact reasons for the termination.

The timing of the shutdown is significant, occurring just days after the U.S. Congress enacted the Take It Down Act. This new law makes it illegal to distribute nonconsensual intimate imagery, including deepfake pornography, and requires online platforms to take measures to eliminate such content.

While Mr. Deepfakes is presently offline, its impact underscores the ongoing ethical and legal dilemmas presented by deepfake technology—particularly when it is used to infringe on privacy and consent.