In recent years, deepfake technology—powered by artificial intelligence—has grown at an alarming pace. What began as a fascinating innovation has quickly evolved into a tool of abuse, manipulation, and harassment. With just a few clicks, anyone can now generate fake images or videos that look convincingly real, blurring the line between truth and fabrication.
A recent incident in New Zealand has highlighted just how dangerous this technology has become. Member of Parliament Laura McClure presented a blurred deepfake nude image of herself in Parliament to demonstrate how easily such content can be created. She revealed that it took her only five minutes to generate the fake photo, underscoring the technology’s accessibility and its potential for misuse.
The consequences are dire. Deepfakes are increasingly being used to target women, often without their consent. A 13-year-old girl in New Zealand attempted suicide after being victimized by a deepfake image—a tragic example of the emotional and psychological harm these fakes can inflict. Reports suggest that up to 95% of deepfake content is non-consensual and predominantly targets women.
Currently, many countries lack adequate laws to tackle this issue. McClure called for legal reforms to classify the creation and sharing of deepfake content without consent as a criminal offense. This is a crucial step forward, but legislation alone is not enough.
To combat deepfake misuse effectively, a multi-pronged approach is needed. This includes:
- Stronger laws and enforcement
- Development of AI tools to detect manipulated media
- Greater accountability from tech platforms
- Public awareness and digital literacy
Deepfake technology is here to stay, but its misuse cannot be ignored. Protecting people—especially women—from this digital threat is not just a legal issue, but a moral one. It’s time to take action before the line between reality and illusion disappears entirely.
