Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, is taking legal action, seeking €100,000 (£85,374) in damages, against individuals responsible for creating and disseminating deepfake pornographic videos featuring her likeness. The lawsuit, which is set to be heard in a Sassari court on July 2, involves a 40-year-old man and his 73-year-old father, who allegedly uploaded these videos to a US-based website, accruing “millions of views” over several months.
Charged with defamation, a serious offense under Italian law that can result in imprisonment, the accused were identified through the mobile device used for uploading the contentious videos, as reported by the BBC.
In a move to support female victims of violence, Meloni’s legal team has announced that any damages awarded from this case will be donated to a specialized fund. Maria Giulia Marongiu, representing the Prime Minister, emphasized the lawsuit’s aim to empower victims, encouraging them to take legal action against such exploitative acts without fear.
This case highlights the growing concern around “deepfake” technology — advanced artificial intelligence tools capable of creating highly realistic videos by digitally superimposing faces onto other bodies, leading to distressing consequences for the individuals impersonated. The incident underscores the urgent need for awareness and legal frameworks to combat the malicious use of deepfakes, which pose a significant threat to personal privacy and public trust.
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