Deepfake TikTok video of Taiwan lawmaker Ko Chien-ming draws legal complaint
A deepfake video circulated on TikTok impersonating Taiwan lawmaker Ko Chien-ming and Taiwan View Television, falsely depicting him as critical of his own party. Ko and a fellow legislator filed a criminal complaint on 23 December 2024 alleging defamation and privacy violations.
What happened
A deepfake video approximately 1 minute 15 seconds long circulated on TikTok purporting to show Ko Chien-ming, the Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip, stating that Taiwan is 'pitch black under the Democratic Progressive Party.' The video falsely impersonated Taiwan View Television (TTV) news with TTV graphics and captions, included simplified Chinese subtitles, and used mainland Chinese vernacular such as 'eating from the bowl while smashing it.'
Ko Chien-ming and Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wang Yi-chuan filed a complaint at the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on 23 December 2024, alleging defamation and violation of privacy laws related to non-consensual realistic image violation. Taiwan View Television issued a statement confirming the video was a deepfake created through 'displacement and recombination' of a legitimate press conference recorded on 21 December 2024.
Reported impact
Taiwan View Television stated the deepfake was intended to spread false information, confuse the public, and create social unrest.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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