Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is taking legal action against deepfake videos that targeted her, seeking damages of 100,000 euros ($109,345). The videos, described as pornographic, were created using artificial intelligence to superimpose her face on another person’s body. They were uploaded to a pornographic website in the United States and garnered millions of views over several months.
The perpetrators, a 40-year-old man and his 73-year-old father, are facing charges of defamation. Italian investigators were able to track them down by tracing the smartphone used to upload the deepfake videos. The incident dates back to 2022, predating Ms. Meloni’s appointment as Prime Minister.
In Italy, defamation cases can carry criminal implications, potentially resulting in jail sentences. Ms. Meloni is scheduled to testify before a court on 2 July regarding this matter.
The legal team representing Italy’s Prime Minister has characterized the damages sought as “symbolic.” They intend to donate the entire amount to support women who have experienced male violence. Maria Giulia Marongiu, Ms. Meloni’s lawyer, emphasized that this action sends a message to victims of such abuse of power, encouraging them not to hesitate in pursuing legal recourse.
Deepfake technology, which uses AI to manipulate visual and audio content, has raised concerns globally. It allows for the creation of convincing fake videos and images, posing threats to public trust and truth. Misinformation, altered public opinions, and reputational damage are some of the dangers associated with deepfakes.
The term “deepfake” originated in late 2017, initially used on a Reddit platform for sharing pornographic videos made with face-swapping technology. Advances in AI, particularly deep learning, have made deepfakes increasingly realistic and widespread. Leaders worldwide have expressed worries about the potential misuse of deepfakes and their impact on society.
Sources By Agencies
