London Mayor Sadiq Khan was the victim of a deepfake audio clip that went viral last November, causing substantial concern over the potential for serious disorder. The AI-generated recording misrepresented Khan’s voice, suggesting he controlled the Metropolitan Police, which could have escalated tensions during a politically sensitive period. Despite the Metropolitan Police initially investigating, they concluded that the fabricated audio did not constitute a criminal offense. Mayor Khan has expressed concerns about the rapid advancement of technology and the need for legal frameworks to catch up to address the challenges posed by such deepfakes.
- The deepfake audio clip misrepresenting London Mayor Sadiq Khan spread widely online and nearly instigated real-world protests.
- The fake clip suggested Khan had control over the Metropolitan Police, which he stated was fabricated to sound authentic.
- The deepfake surfaced amid political tension regarding a pro-Palestinian March, coinciding with Armistice Day.
- Concerns were raised that the faked clip could have led to serious disorder during a counter-protest.
- The suspected creator of the deepfake, associated with the account named HJB News, refused a recorded interview but allowed their words to be voiced by an actor.
- Other social media users who helped the clip go viral expressed remorse for their actions.
- The Metropolitan Police dropped the investigation, stating that the fake audio did not constitute a criminal offense.
- Mayor Khan highlighted the personal impact of deepfakes on his family and the lag in legal protections against such technology.
- There is a growing concern among politicians about the ease of spreading misinformation with AI as elections approach globally.
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