Denmark is taking steps toward enacting a ban on the use of “deepfake” imagery online, saying such digital manipulations can stir doubts about reality and foster misinformation.
The government said in a statement published Thursday that a “broad cross section” of parties in parliament support greater protections against deepfakes and a planned bill is expected to make it illegal to share them or other digital imitations of personal characteristics.
Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt, in a statement, said that it was “high time that we now create a safeguard against the spread of misinformation and at the same time send a clear signal to the tech giants.”
Officials said Friday that the measures are believed to be among the most extensive steps yet taken by a government to combat misinformation through deepfakes, which refers to highly realistic but fabricated content created by artificial intelligence tools.
I honestly genuinely wish Denmark the best on this, unfortunately, I just feel like Pandora’s box has already been opened.
It’s a slippery slope from something that is otherwise well intentioned.
Define what a deep fake is over a parody or other political commentary.
I mean that doesn’t seem that difficult does it? A deep fake is designed to trick you. Parody and political commentary aren’t designed to trick you. They’re commentary. They’re designed for you to understand that it’s talking about something or criticizing something or making fun of something. No one watches Saturday Night Live when Dana Carvey is dressed up like George Bush and thinks it’s real. You’re supposed to know it’s not real.
I hear you, but this is subjective and not objective. A bad faith actor, presumably an authoritarian government, can exploit laws like this to advance their agenda. “Yes, I was definitely convinced that was George HW Bush”.
Subjective judgements are ripe for abuse of power, sadly.
I find this to be a terribly unconvincing argument.
As usual, unfettered capitalism ruined what could otherwise be a useful tool
