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Spain's PP faces legal backlash over AI deepfake videos
The People's Party (PP) in Spain is facing significant legal and political backlash following the release of campaign videos using artificial intelligence to impersonate senior members of the Socialist Party (PSOE). The deepfake content features AI-generated likenesses and voices of figures including Begoña Gómez, José Luis Ábalos, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Santos Cerdán, Montse Mínguez, and Leire Díez.
In the videos, the depicted individuals appear to make fabricated admissions regarding corruption, criminal activities, or political affiliations. For instance, an AI version of Begoña Gómez is shown discussing her professional position in relation to her husband, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. One specific video portrays Leire Díez claiming to have hired individuals to remove a judge.
Leire Díez has filed a lawsuit with the Audiencia Nacional, accusing the PP of defamation, digital identity theft, and crimes against moral integrity. Her legal team has requested that the Civil Guard search the PP headquarters to identify those responsible and has called for the immediate removal of the content. The PSOE has also condemned the videos, stating that the use of such technology to spread falsehoods crosses a dangerous line in political discourse.
Entities
Begoña Gómez · Borja Sémper · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Leire Díez · PSOE · Partido Popular · Pedro Sánchez · People's Party · Spain · Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Borja Sémper defended the use of AI as a tool for political communication. cronicadecantabria.com · www.spainenglish.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The PSOE is considering reporting the content to the Spanish Data Protection Agency or the AI Supervision Agency. www.notiulti.com
- [● 19 SOURCES] The PP released a video using AI deepfakes to impersonate PSOE members. cronicadecantabria.com · www.elperiodico.digital · www.notiulti.com · www.spainenglish.com · labandera.es · +14 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The video has gained significant views on platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok. cronicadecantabria.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The video attributes fabricated admissions of crimes to the depicted individuals. www.spainenglish.com · www.diaridetarragona.com · www.elperiodico.digital · www.informacion.es · www.deia.eus · +2 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The video features AI-generated versions of Begoña Gómez, José Luis Ábalos, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Leire Díez, Montse Mínguez, and Santos Cerdán. www.notiulti.com · www.spainenglish.com · www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diaridetarragona.com · www.elperiodico.digital · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The PSOE is considering legal action against the PP regarding the video. cronicadecantabria.com · www.notiulti.com · www.spainenglish.com · labandera.es · www.elperiodico.digital · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The video uses the slogan ‘Lerdos y orgullosos’. cronicadecantabria.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The deepfake video has reportedly received over 21 million views within 16 hours. www.diariodejerez.es · www.diariodesevilla.es
- [● 4 SOURCES] Leire Díez filed a lawsuit against the PP for defamation, digital identity theft, and crimes against moral integrity. labandera.es · www.diariodejerez.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.theguardian.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The lawsuit requests that the Civil Guard search the PP headquarters to locate the video's authors. labandera.es
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The PP campaign committee stated they will not desist from using such tactics. www.informacion.es