China’s legislative attempt to control deepfake tech

China’s cyberspace watchdog released a new draft regulation, in an effort to control the use of deepfake technology across the country

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) aims to regulate AI-powered synthesis systems used to make text, images, audio, video, virtual scenes, or generating or editing biometric features, such as face swapping.

The “Internet Information Service Deep Synthesis Management Regulations” will require companies that provide deepfake services to verify the identities of their users which has to potential to shut down the disruptive technology. Put forward at the end of January 2022, The comment period will end at the close of February, and a final version could possibly include a number of changes.

Regulations to keep people safe?

Under the proposed regulation, deepfake service providers must verify the identities of their customers prior to providing products and services, in addition, companies will also be expected to “respect social morality and ethics, adhere to the correct political direction, public opinion orientation, and value orientation, and promote deep synthesis services to be upward and good.”

What are the of deepfakes?

Deepfake technology has the potential to endanger national security, undermine social and political stability long with numerous other issues.

This AI tech can be used to produce, copy, publish and disseminate illegal information, and even impersonate others’ identities to commit fraud and other illegal acts. Deepfakes can be weaponised and used to spread disinformation, scam people and have been ranked as the most serious AI crime threat.

Who is deepfake technology affecting?

According to a research company known as Sensity AI, around 90% of deepfake videos tracked since 2018 are of non-consensual explicit videos of women. This harmful use of AI can ruin lives and has been brought to light in the UK in 2022.

In a report published in late January, British MPs called for deepfake pornography and tech-enabled violence against women, such as “nudifying” tech to be included in the country’s new online safety law.

This draft regulation from the CAC is the Chinese governments attempt to control the growing threat of Ai generated online violence, if passed the regulation may be a huge step for the Chinese government in protecting the nation against weaponised AI and Deepfake tech, however, only time will tell.