Woman Indicted for Spreading AI-Generated Video Defaming Janssen

The Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office announced today that it has closed an investigation into a case of online misinformation involving a political figure. Prosecutors determined that a woman surnamed Cui had deliberately spread a deep‑fake video on the social‑media platform Threads that falsely portrayed Taipei City Councilor Jian Shupai. The video, created using artificial‑intelligence technology, showed Shupai absurdly demanding that city officials hand over a massive administrative file purportedly containing up to one million pages. The fabricated footage, which was clearly malicious and defamatory, went viral on the platform, causing significant damage to Shupai’s political reputation and personal standing.

Following the investigation, the prosecutor’s office formally charged Cui under violations of the Personal Data Protection Act and the Criminal Law for aggravated defamation. Prosecutors directed the Judicial Police to conduct a thorough inquiry, ultimately locating the Threads account that disseminated the deep‑fake. They examined the video content, the account’s posting history, and summoned the defendant to explain her actions. Prosecutors concluded that Cui was fully aware that the footage was a fabricated creation generated by AI, yet she intentionally uploaded and shared it with a broad, unspecified audience. Her conduct not only harmed Shupai’s reputation but also constituted the unlawful collection, use, and distribution of personal data.

The rapid advancement of generative AI and deep‑fake technology has made it increasingly easy to produce realistic fake audio and video. While originally intended for entertainment, film effects, or educational purposes, these tools are now frequently misused to target political figures, spread false narratives, or create digital harassment. Ordinary citizens can also fall victim to such abuses, including the creation of indecent videos or fraudulent audio recordings. The covert nature and swift spread of these crimes often inflict irreparable harm before victims can respond.

In response to the growing threat of deep‑fake crimes, Taiwan’s legislature and judiciary have strengthened legal safeguards in recent years. In addition to the Personal Data Protection Act’s protections for audiovisual data, criminal law amendments now impose harsher penalties for defamation and the dissemination of false images when facilitated by technology. By charging Cui with aggravated defamation and violations of the Personal Data Protection Act, the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office signals a zero‑tolerance stance toward digital violence and misinformation, urging the public to refrain from exploiting high‑tech tools to harm others.

(Source: Central News Agency)