Distributing deepfakes to prevent candidates’ election can bring up to 7 years in prison
The Ministry of Justice said Sunday that the government will step up efforts to curb deepfake content ahead of local elections in November.
The ministry was responding to an allegation made in early September by Chen Su-yueh (陳素月), the DPP’s Changhua County magistrate candidate, that someone had used AI to create a deepfake video of her saying she could “win the election hands down.” Chen’s campaign staff reported the case to police on Sept. 10 and demanded that social media platforms remove the content, per CNA.
Authorities will strengthen digital forensics, promptly remove deepfake content, and investigate those responsible, the ministry said, according to Liberty Times.
Under the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act, those who use deepfake technology to distribute falsified videos with the intent of preventing a candidate from being elected face up to seven years in prison.
The law also sets out procedures for identifying and removing deepfake content, as well as penalties for platforms that fail to comply with removal orders.
In August, the Central Election Commission established a special task force to work with the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Ministry of Digital Affairs to combat the spread of deepfake content ahead of the elections.
The digital ministry also launched a website through which candidates in the November elections can report suspected cases of deepfake impersonation.
