More must be done to combat deepfake horror
THE term deepfake refers to a video that has been edited using an algorithm to replace the person in the original video with someone else (especially a public figure) in a way that makes the video look authentic.
It was interesting to learn that the UK government has now introduced legislation that makes the creation of explicit ‘deepfake’ images without consent a criminal offence.
We know celebrities are often the target of sexually explicit deepfakes, as was the case for US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift earlier this year. The targeting of Swift shone a new light on this emotive issue resulting in millions of her fans becoming outraged at this development.
One must not forget that noncelebrities are victims of deepfake images too. There have been increasing reports of young women and teens being harassed on social media with sexually explicit deepfakes that are more and more realistic and easy to make. I find it unacceptable that we still have a lack of enforcement by the tech platforms apropos such online behaviour.
The EU must call on tech firms to explain what their plans are to tackle deepfakes. Turning a blind eye to such egregious conduct affects women and young girls who appear to overwhelmingly be the targets of this harassment.
JOHN O’BRIEN, Clinical psychotherapist,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Well done, Liz
WHAT a brilliant article Liz Jones wrote about her homelessness and the perils of renting. She is a wonderful example of never giving up.
For years I’ve read her article in the Saturday magazine You and I thoroughly enjoy it. What a gutsy, funny lady she is. Take a bow, Liz, and enjoy your new home. JACQUIE CONNOLLY,
Foxrock, Dublin.
Horror in Gaza
WORLD leaders proclaim that ‘Israel has the right to defend itself’. Since before 1948 and up to present times, there have never been calls from the West saying Palestinians have the same right to defence of their homeland from the apartheid tyranny of Israel.
I am older than many Irish people who are now to be praised for educating themselves as to the truth of Gaza and the territories occupied by Israel.
Gaza is the largest concentration camp the world has known in modern times, yet the world media still refers to Israeli Defence Forces and to ‘Palestinian gunmen’, giving the utterly false impression that indigenous Arab people are inherently criminal and don’t have any valid political standing in their own country. Time for truth and change. ROBERT SULLIVAN,
Bantry, Co. Cork.
Protect all life
SO services which told women who presented with crisis pregnancies that motherhood was a gift from God and encouraged them to keep the pregnancy are ‘false services that are tricking women about their abortion rights’ (Mail).
I suppose it is good that it cannot be denied the Government’s policy is to do whatever it takes to ensure abortion rates continue to escalate here.
Anyone remember the promise of ‘rare’?
It’s a strange society that penalises those who seek to help people in need of help.
Our humanity surely demands that we do what we can to protect all human life, not destroy it. Hopefully we can come to our senses and promote peace through respect for all life from conception until natural death.