AI-Generated Deepfake Videos of Luisito Comunica Used for Political Promotion in Mexico
Mexican YouTube creator Luisito Comunica accused the Mexican government of creating deepfake videos using his image and voice without authorization to promote policies of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The deepfake videos, reportedly distributed through the account "Conversación Pública," featured an artificial version of Luisito discussing government achievements in health and social security.
What happened
Creator Luis Arturo Villar Sudek, known as Luisito Comunica, discovered AI-generated deepfake videos featuring his image without authorization. In one deepfake, an artificial version of him answered questions about Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's government report, presenting statistics about welfare programs positively.
The deepfake videos were reportedly distributed through the account Conversación Pública, which used Mexican government logos but has since disappeared from digital platforms. Luisito Comunica stated that no government agency sought his authorization to use his image and likeness.
Reported impact
Luisito Comunica reported that the deepfake videos, despite low quality, generated significant digital conversation with many people believing them to be authentic. He highlighted the hypocrisy of the government promoting AI regulation for cybersecurity while simultaneously creating unauthorized synthetic media.
The creator anticipated a campaign against him for speaking out, expecting negative coverage from media outlets affiliated with the government.
Index analysis
The deepfake videos represent a use case where AI-generated synthetic media was reportedly deployed to create false attributions of statements to a public figure without consent. The incident demonstrates how deepfake technology can fabricate endorsements and manipulate public perception by impersonating recognizable individuals.
Governance controls
Mexican federal law already protects portrait rights under the Federal Copyright Law, requiring express consent before publishing or using someone's image. However, the incident raises questions about the adequacy of existing legal protections when deepfake technology generates not just false images but synchronized voice and facial movements.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.