ROBUST safeguards are needed to combat the growing prevalence of ‘deepfake’ imagery, as Jersey’s Information Commissioner has joined 61 other authorities in raising major concerns about the use of artificial intelligence.
It comes shortly after a TikTok account of generated videos depicting teachers at Grainville School in compromising, embarrassing and inappropriate scenarios gathered more than 20,000 views over the course of several days, before the account was deleted.
It was reported to the police; however, there are currently no criminal charges associated with AI deepfakes, and the issue now in the hands of the Education Department.
Next month, the States Assembly is due to debate a series of proposals designed to improve and tighten laws protecting women and girls from violence. Among the propositions is the outlawing of creating sexually explicit deepfakes.
And, a government consultation is currently under way on protecting young people from harm online, which could see Islanders given more control over the use of their likeness online. The consultation, which is being conducted by the Economic Development Department, follows a review by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel which found that online safeguarding procedures and regulations are weaker in Jersey than in Europe and the UK.
Social media platforms would be forced to have accessible complaint procedures allowing users to request for “illegal content” to be removed, and the service would be required to respond within 48 hours of making the request.
Jersey Information Commissioner Paul Vane has signed a joint statement alongside 60 international data protection authorities, who are warning that although most AI tools have potential for efficient use, significant harm is already being done.
Mr Vane said: “AI tools that can generate or alter images and video are advancing rapidly. When used responsibly they hold tremendous promise. But as recent reporting makes clear, they are already being used to harm real people.
“It is too easy to hide behind a veil of ‘it’ll never happen to us’ and we owe it to our community, and especially our young people, to educate not just how to use AI, but how to use it ethically and safely.”
Jersey’s regulator is working alongside Guernsey’s Office of the Data Protection Authority and the Isle of Man Information Commissioner to release a Crown Dependency advisory on Generative AI Image Creation, aiming to advise practical steps people can take to protect themselves from being targeted online.
Brent Homan, Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner, said: “The abuse of AI image systems to create ‘deepfakes’ poses global risks that have reached our islands. By joining forces with our Crown Dependency counterparts we can better arm and protect our children against these harms.”
Dr Alexandra Delaney-Bhattacharya, Isle of Man Information Commissioner, added: “We are deeply concerned about harmful and destructive indecent imagery, including deepfakes, being generated by AI tools – including of children.
“International regulators will continue to work together to confront what is now widely recognised as a growing global threat.
“While organisations that design and deploy these systems hold primary responsibility for complying with data protection law there are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of your information being misused.
“We strongly encourage parents and carers to talk openly with children about online dangers and play an active role in helping them stay safe.”
