MP Exposes Deepfake Dangers In Parliament

This account draws from original reporting by Jason Walls of the NZ Herald.

A Bold Statement in Parliament

On Wednesday, May 14, Act Party MP Laura McClure took an unprecedented step in Parliament. She held up what appeared to be a naked photograph of herself. However, the image, though blurred for the public display, was not a genuine photo. It was an AI generated deepfake.

The caption for a supplied photo of the event read: "Act MP Laura McClure shows an AI generated deepfake nude photo of herself in the House. Photo / Supplied."

Confronting the Deepfake Menace

McClure dramatic action was intended to cast a harsh spotlight on the growing problem of AI generated deepfakes, particularly those that are sexually explicit and created without consent. By using a deepfake of herself, she aimed to illustrate the personal and violating nature of such fabrications.

Key aspects of her initiative include:

• Displaying the AI generated deepfake image of herself in Parliament to vividly demonstrate the issue.
• Proposing a new bill designed to criminalise both the creation and distribution of non consensual sexually explicit deepfakes.

Legislative Push for Protection

The proposed legislation seeks to update and expand existing laws to specifically address the nuances and harms of deepfake technology. McClure bill underscores the need for legal frameworks to keep pace with rapid technological advancements that can be exploited for malicious purposes.

Challenges on the Legislative Path

Despite the clear articulation of the problem and a proposed solution, the bill currently faces a significant hurdle: it lacks government support to progress through the legislative process. This highlights the complexities and potential disagreements in tackling new forms of digital harm.