AI-Generated Deepfake Sexual Images Target Irish Election Candidate
Gráinne Seoige, an Irish election candidate, became a victim of AI-generated deepfake sexual imagery that circulated on WhatsApp during her 2024 general election campaign. She has publicly described the incident as deeply traumatising and called for government action to criminalise the creation of such images.
What happened
A fake image of Gráinne Seoige circulated on WhatsApp during her general election campaign in 2024.
The image was AI-generated deepfake sexual imagery that spread while she was actively canvassing.
Reported impact
Seoige described the incident as "the most shocking thing that's ever happened to me in my life" and "deeply traumatising".
She stated she had to deal with shame and humiliation for almost a year and a half, and that the incident constituted both sexual image abuse and election interference.
Governance controls
Seoige called on regulators and the Irish government to take action against sexual AI-generated images and to pass a law criminalising such content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.