Why is LeBron James furious with an AI company? Legal action over deepfake pregnancy videos explained
LeBron James
is drawing a hard line. The NBA legend is now at the center of a growing legal battle against artificial intelligence misuse.
James and his legal team have issued a cease-and-desist letter to FlickUp, the company behind Interlink AI, after disturbing AI-generated videos using his likeness — including one portraying him as pregnant — went viral.
LeBron James slams AI company with legal action over disturbing deepfake pregnancy videos
The controversy centers around Interlink AI, a video-generation tool hosted on Discord, which enables users to create hyper-realistic clips of celebrities without consent. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, and others became unwitting avatars in a digital playground that quickly spiraled into grotesque territory.
One video, which 404 Media reports received over 6.2 million Instagram views, depicted an AI-generated Sean "Diddy" Combs s*xually assaulting a fake Steph Curry in a prison setting, with an expressionless AI LeBron James watching in the background. Others showed James homeless, kneeling with his tongue out, or cradling a pregnant belly while calling out to Curry.
'This is a letter from one of the biggest NBA players of all time,' said FlickUp founder Jason Stacks in an Instagram Reel.
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'Two months ago, I launched the YouTube of AI video. It was a fun idea to help creators make some more money. But then people started noticing … Like this guy, yeah, LeBron James. And he wasn't happy, because I got this cease-and-desist from his team.'
Stacks admitted he was blindsided by the attention and, within 30 minutes of receiving the legal notice from Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, removed all realistic people from the platform.
'We removed the models immediately and have since updated our approach to likeness and public figure policies,' he told 404 Media. 'That's really the full story on our end.'
LeBron James gets support from former teammate Richard Jefferson
LeBron's move signals a turning point in how public figures respond to unauthorized AI-generated content. As deepfakes move from playful memes to disturbing fabrications, celebrities like James are taking back control. 'We see the value in name, image, and likeness,' said former NBA player Richard Jefferson.
'All of a sudden, videos depicting whatever you want. They're saying whatever you want.'
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James isn't alone. Other public figures, including Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, and Steve Harvey, have all voiced concern over deepfake misuse. However, James stands apart by becoming one of the first to pursue formal legal action.
Legislators are beginning to take notice. The NO FAKES Act and the Content Origin Protection Act are making their way through Congress, aiming to regulate AI-generated media and protect individuals' digital identities.
James' decision may be personal, but the implications are universal. In a world where AI can mimic anyone, anywhere, anytime, defending your name may soon become a right everyone has to fight for.
Also Read:
Paul George's classy move breaks locker-room ritual as he refused to haze rookie VJ Edgecombe
FAQs
Why is LeBron James suing an AI company?
Because they used his image without consent in disturbing deepfake videos.
What was the most controversial AI video involving LeBron?
One clip showed a fake LeBron passively watching a simulated assault involving Diddy and Steph Curry.
What happened after the legal threat?
FlickUp removed all realistic likenesses from its AI platform within 30 minutes of receiving the cease-and-desist.
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