OpenAI’s Sora 2 Faces Backlash Over Fetish Content Concerns

Concerns are rising around OpenAI’s new video application, Sora 2, as users report the creation of fetish content featuring their likenesses. The app, which allows individuals to generate videos using others’ faces, has quickly gained popularity since its launch in March 2024. However, many users are now grappling with the implications of consent and privacy as they encounter videos that utilize their appearance for potentially sexual purposes.

A journalist exploring Sora 2 discovered that, despite the app’s ban on nudity and explicit content, a significant portion of videos featuring her face fell within fetish categories. These include themes such as belly inflation, pregnancy, and giantess scenarios. After initially enjoying the app’s playful nature, she was taken aback to find that out of the 25 most popular videos created using her likeness, 10 were fetish-related.

The user noted, “This looks like fetish content,” highlighting how quickly the app’s creative potential can be misused. By default, users can allow anyone to create “cameos” featuring their likeness, but many may not anticipate the kinds of videos that could be generated. Although Sora offers privacy settings, many users opt for public settings, as did the journalist who reported her experiences.

Despite the app’s focus on entertainment, the implications are concerning. Sora 2 has already faced scrutiny for enabling videos that may involve underage users interacting with adult content. The platform’s permissiveness raises vital questions about age restrictions and consent. One troubling scenario involved an adult man creating multiple videos using prompts that included young girls, prompting calls for stricter regulations.

OpenAI has yet to address these issues publicly, despite receiving multiple requests for comment. The company has previously faced backlash for allowing the likenesses of deceased celebrities, leading to the removal of content featuring figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., after family complaints. This incident underscores a pattern within OpenAI’s approach to copyright and intellectual property, which often prioritizes innovation over consent.

The rapid emergence of fetish content on Sora 2 raises critical questions for both users and developers. Should individuals be allowed to create fetish videos using the faces of those who consent, even if unintentionally? Furthermore, what responsibility does OpenAI have in monitoring content that may not involve real individuals but still pushes the boundaries of appropriateness?

As Sora 2 continues to evolve, the balance between creative expression and ethical considerations remains precarious. The allure of generating videos with famous faces is undeniable, but the potential for misuse puts users at risk, particularly women who may feel more vulnerable to such exploitation.

With the app gaining traction, it is essential for OpenAI to establish clearer guidelines and protections for users. The current situation, where individuals can create suggestive or fetish content using someone else’s likeness, highlights the urgent need for a more robust framework to protect privacy and consent in the digital age.