Danish authorities seek legislation to prohibit sharing deepfake material
Let's Talk Tech: Deepfakes 🤖
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The government is itching to update the legislation, aiming to ban deepfake distribution online.
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That's right, Denmark's government has publicly stated their intention to crack down on deepfakes, following plans to amend existing copyright laws to curb its spread in the digital realm.
The fuss is all about deepfakes' potential to wreck democracy, mess up public conversation, and jeopardize individual identities[2]. Otta Engel-Schmidt, the culture maven, says the current regulations can't manage this sort of tomfoolery and hence, new legislation is required to control deepfakes and other AI-polymerized propaganda.
Deepfakes are AI-generated media that twists reality, altering someone's appearance, voice, or actions, making it seem like they said or did something they never did[2]. This manipulation can be done with both audio and visual content.
Negotiations with other parties are imminent, focusing on banning the publication of manipulated content, such as deepfakes and other AI-generated content[2]. This means modernizing existing copyright laws to accommodate the emergence of false videos, like deepfakes.
To illustrate the issue, Engel-Schmidt brought up a hypothetical video of the PM scuttling Denmark's ties with NATO[2]. Realistic deepfakes have the potential to deceitfully spread harmful and misleading information.
The Danish proposition lines up with EU framework and empowers Denmark to order tech juggernauts to axe deepfake content. If an individual discovers that their likeness has been deepfaked without their consent, the law will ensure that tech goliaths take it down[2].
Satirical use of deepfakes will still remain legal as long as it's clearly labeled[2]. In case of a dispute, it would be left to the courts to decide[2]. Engel-Schmidt rejects the notion that the law infringes on freedom of speech[2]. He asserts that it's about protecting public conversation and combating identity theft, which has always been illegal.
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As of April 2025, Denmark hasn't yet implemented specific measures to tackle deepfakes, but the country is joining the worldwide trend of legislative efforts on deepfakes and AI regulation[2]. The U.S., for instance, has considered existing cybercrime laws to halt deepfake pornography, and the Philippines is discussing disclosure requirements for deepfake creators[3][4][5]. Harmonized international standards are still a work in progress, with most countries cobbling together patchwork solutions from existing cybercrime laws and AI-specific measures[1][4][5].
- Otta Engel-Schmidt, in discussing deepfakes, advocates for new legislation to manage AI-generated propaganda and curb its spread online.
- Denmark's proposed law seeks to ban the distribution of manipulated content, including deepfakes, and holds technology giants accountable for removing such content when uploaded without consent.
- The regulation of deepfakes is a significant aspect of the ongoing global discussion on technology, culture, and art, particularly in light of their potential to distort reality and jeopardize individual identities.
- The emergence of deepfakes raises complex questions about cybersecurity, freedom of speech, and the role of technology in shaping our views and public conversation.
- The Danish proposition aligns with the EU framework, allowing the government to order tech companies to remove deepfake content that might cause harm or spread misinformation.
- The discussion on deepfakes and their regulation requires a balanced approach, ensuring the protection of individual rights while combating the threats they pose to our digital culture and public discourse.
