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The …
22. January 2025
Australia’s crossbenchers have urged the Labor government to take immediate action on deepfakes and misinformation ahead of the upcoming election. David Pocock, an independent MP, and Kate Chaney have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Special Minister of State Don Farrell, advocating for “truth in political advertising” reform.
Their letter criticizes Labor for excluding them from negotiations on a bill aimed at capping political donations, which was previously being pushed by the Coalition. The crossbenchers fear that Labor lacks a clear plan to address the growing threat of deepfakes and misinformation in politics.
Pocock expressed disappointment that the truth in political advertising legislation, introduced to parliament in November 2024, seems to have been “shelved” by the government. He showcased the risk of AI by fabricating a video of Albanese announcing a complete ban on gambling advertising. This move highlights the potential for deepfakes to manipulate public opinion and undermine democracy.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has warned voters that they can expect to see more disinformation and deepfake videos on social media and online platforms. The commission’s electoral integrity assurance taskforce has issued guidelines for candidates on recognizing warning signs of foreign interference and for voters on how to spot misinformation.
Recent overseas elections, including India, have seen widespread instances of AI-generated content and misinformation spread across social media. The AEC is concerned about generative AI and has warned the Senate that it expects AI-generated misinformation at the next election but lacks the tools to detect or deter it.
Greens senator David Shoebridge described Australia’s lack of legislative protection as “sleepwalking” into a crisis, where generative AI may have a significant impact on the outcome of the next election. The current laws allow for the creation of deepfakes with electoral authorization, which raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
The Australian government must take immediate action to protect its democracy from the scourge of deepfakes and misinformation. By taking concrete steps to address this threat, politicians can ensure that their electoral process remains free from manipulation and coercion. The AEC stands ready to implement any new laws that are introduced.