Deepfakes And The Law: Are We Protected?

This article was first published in the Times Of Malta.

The word 'deepfake' is quickly gaining traction. But what is it exactly? Linguistically a combination of 'deep-learning' and 'fake', it refers to the artificial production, manipulation and modification of data to create a false representation of an existing person, object, place, or entity.

What's the problem?

Media manipulation is not a new phenomenon, particularly in the entertainment industry. However, recent use of deepfake technology takes it a notch lower, deeper, as it were. Troublingly, it is about the unprecedented and more visually effective spread of misinformation, manipulation of public opinion, creation of malicious or harmful content, and scamming.