media content had been detected from January 29 to the end of last week, constituting a violation of the newly revised election law. Role of the Newly Revised Election Law This law prohibits the use of deepfakes for electoral campaigning, with penalties of up to seven years in prison or fines of 10 million won ($7,500) for offenders, reports Yonhap news agency. (Also Read: WhatsApp Is Testing New UI For Its Status Bar And Channel Ownership Transfer Feature)
NEC’s Crackdown on Deepfakes The NEC’s crackdown on deepfakes represents a proactive response to the evolving landscape of disinformation, as facilitated by advancements in AI technology. The revised legislation, passed by the National Assembly in December, aims to curb the spread of false information and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process against emerging threats.
Past Incidents Deepfake manipulations have already been used in past elections, both domestically and internationally, raising concerns those AI-created videos and images are one of the biggest threats to democracy, especially in the form of fake news and misleading public opinion.
Challenges and Concerns Surrounding Deepfake Proliferation As AI technology continues to evolve and proliferate, experts warn of the growing sophistication and speed of deepfake production, outpacing traditional verification processes employed by election authorities. It is hard for the authorities to combat deepfake proliferation because of the unmatched speed of deepfake creation compared to verification efforts. “The speed of production of believable fakes through deepfake technologies is much faster than that of the NEC’s verification process,” said Kim Myuhng-joo, a professor at Seoul Women’s University. “It’s unmatchable.”
Furthermore, the continuous evolution of deepfake technology poses additional hurdles for detection and mitigation, calling for a multifaceted approach that prioritises rigorous verification protocols.
SEO-Tailored Tech Insight: The surge of AI-generated deepfake videos and images leading up to South Korea’s parliamentary elections in April has prompted heightened vigilance from election authorities. With 129 pieces of AI-generated media content already detected, the newly revised election law prohibits the use of deepfakes for electoral campaigning, with penalties of up to seven years in prison or fines of 10 million won ($7,500) for offenders. The National Election Commission’s proactive crackdown on deepfakes aims to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process against emerging threats, as past incidents have raised concerns about the potential impact of AI-created videos and images on democracy.
Tech Enthusiast Appeal: As AI technology continues to evolve and proliferate, the challenges surrounding deepfake proliferation are becoming increasingly complex. Experts warn of the growing sophistication and speed of deepfake production, outpacing traditional verification processes employed by election authorities. This poses a significant hurdle for detection and mitigation, calling for a multifaceted approach that prioritises rigorous verification protocols. The continuous evolution of deepfake technology highlights the need for innovative solutions to combat the spread of false information and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process against emerging threats.
