O Globo newspaper highlights case of fake news using AI against mayor of Manaus

TECHNOLOGY

Officially, the episode was the first recorded against a ruler in the country

Manaus (AM) – The case involving the mayor of Manaus, David Almeida, as a victim of fake news using Artificial Intelligence (AI), known as deepfakewas the headline of Jornal O Globo in this Sunday’s edition (14).

Officially, the episode was the first recorded against a government official in the country, on the eve of an electoral process. This is one of the crimes of the digital era using the latest technologies, which manipulate reality, and which is being investigated by the Federal Police of Amazonas.

In a special report, the national newspaper highlights that the season of fake news in an election year has already begun, but with a type of content that is even more difficult to identify. Three cases of fake news involving politicians were cited, with emphasis on the mayor of the capital of Amazonas.

Through audio containing slanderous information, the deepfake against David Almeida was shot virtually, in WhatsApp groups, last December, with montages and simulations of attacks on education professionals. The case was immediately reported by the mayor to the PF, which is conducting the investigations.

“This case is an attempt at retaliation by the opposition in the city and which targets this year’s electoral process. There is no anonymity on the internet and those who produce and distribute fake news can be held responsible. This case should serve as a parameter for the rest of Brazil. The audio is false and aims to create discomfort with the category (of teachers), for which I have a lot of respect and admiration, in an election year”,

said David Almeida to the newspaper O Globo.

According to the initial investigations carried out by the Federal Police, it was found that the audio was a montage, with possible Artificial Intelligence resources, containing fragments of other types of audio, in addition to manipulations in the content.

Since the investigation was launched on December 22nd, suspects have already been interviewed.

The PF superintendent in Amazonas, Umberto Ramos, stated that the investigation will identify and punish everyone involved in the crime.

About deepfake

A technique used to create and tamper with sounds and videos, deepfake simulates tones, timbres and even people’s ways of speaking. Everything recreated virtually, using AI. This way, the montages become much more realistic, with people talking and carrying out situations that they have never actually done.

*With information from consultancy

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