Fake media target of city’s youth candidates

TWO Toowoomba teens are tackling the issue of identity replication and the production of deep fakes at the 25th YMCA Queensland Youth parliament, which started yesterday.

Toowoomba South youth member Mahsa Nabizada and Toowoomba North youth member Laurence Profke have joined 91 others from across the state to debate youth bills of their creation during the virtual three day event.

Both are part of the innovation, science and development committee working to refine a bill titled Digital Identity Replication and Usage Act 2020, which seeks to prohibit the creation of synthetic media, which can be used to mislead the public.

“It’s an important issue that needs to be addressed in our community and it’s especially relevant due to the upcoming state election,” Ms Nabizada said.

“For our generation, technology is a big part of our lives and the use of false information online is a growing issue which needs to be regulated.

“Youth parliament is a great platform – for me, it acknowledges young people as part of the community, not just as tomorrow’s leaders but within today’s society.”

Mr Profke mirrored this sentiment.

“If we don’t know the government and politics, how are we meant to make a difference to things that matter to us,” Mr Profke said.

“It’s been an interesting experience so far, especially hearing other people’s opinions.”

Both students hope to go into politics in the future.