Internet regulators crack down on deceptive AI celebrity impersonation

Chinese internet regulators are intensifying efforts to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence for celebrity impersonation to falsely promote products, attract followers, or increase online views, having removed over 47,000 pieces of harmful content and penalized 3,961 accounts for misleading the public, China's top internet regulator announced on Friday.

Stressing the importance of addressing this misconduct, the Cyberspace Administration of China urged internet platforms nationwide to take greater responsibility and implement effective measures to prevent AI misuse, thereby protecting users' legitimate rights and cleansing the online environment.

In a recent campaign, some WeChat accounts were found using AI to fake celebrity images, synthesize voices, or misuse images of public figures and their family members to promote products and attract viewers. Others used AI to fabricate rumors, such as false claims about celebrities having Alzheimer's disease, misleading the public, according to the administration.

Additionally, several accounts were penalized for using AI to impersonate public figures, making false statements, recounting fake personal experiences, or posting emotional content to lure followers, while some were punished for using AI to create synthesized images of celebrities in vulgar dances or intimate scenarios to attract followers and profit through marketing.

Chinese internet regulators have been prioritizing the fight against the abuse of AI that disrupts online order over the past year, and launched ongoing operations to crack down on those faking celebrities to post marketing information, misleading users, and infringing on others' rights in cyberspace.