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Para. 11.3Status unknownSaudi ArabiaRegulation
Issued by Saudi Data & AI Authority / NDMO
Appendix 3: Case Studies and Examples
Deepfakes Guidelines: Mitigating risks while fostering innovation
In 2023, a prominent political figure in the United States spoke out about her encounter
with a synthetic image of herself on a social platform. The deepfake image, created with
out her consent, caused shock and resurfaced past traumas. She stated that deepfakes
“parallel the same exact intention of violent humiliation.”
The incident not only caused significant psychological trauma to the victim but also erod
ed public trust, prompted potential legal actions against the creators, and increased both
public awareness and legislative interest in regulating deepfake technologies. Creating
and distributing a non-consensual deepfake image of a public figure undermines ethical
norms by disrespecting individual autonomy and privacy, and it inflicts emotional harm.
This case highlights the urgent need for ethical guidelines and stringent legal frameworks
to govern the creation and dissemination of synthetic media to protect individuals from
harm and preserve societal trust.
The incident spurred discussions about the need for stronger regulations against the
misuse of deepfake technology. Efforts included drafting new laws aimed at preventing
the creation and distribution of harmful deepfake content. Federal and state legislators
proposed various bills targeting deepfakes, particularly focusing on their use in political
campaigns and protecting individuals from impersonation and fraud. These legislative
efforts were part of a broader push to address the evolving threat of AI-driven misinfor
mation and protect public figures and citizens alike.
The local police launched an investigation to trace the digital payment and identify the
caller. Authorities issued public warnings about AI-driven scams, advising citizens to use
family-specific code words for verification. They also collaborated with tech companies
to understand the scam’s tools and develop prevention strategies.
Non-consensual manipulation example: Unauthorized deepfake scandal
Deepfakes Guidelines: Mitigating risks while fostering innovation
A faked audio clip with the voice of a political leader from a liberal party in a European
country circulated on social media. The clip falsely suggested that the politician had
been buying votes from a minority group in the country.
The fake audio clip not only manipulated public opinion and potentially influenced
important decisions but also damaged the reputation of the individuals involved
and prompted calls for regulatory reforms and better detection tools for deepfakes.
The creation and dissemination of the faked audio clip breached ethical norms by
spreading misinformation, deceiving the public, and undermining trust. This incident
underscores the crucial need for heightened digital literacy and robust verification
tools to safeguard against the misuse of synthetic media, thereby protecting societal
trust and integrity.
The incident prompted calls for stronger regulations and policies to combat deep
fakes and other synthetic media. Legislative bodies in the country began discuss
ing new laws to prevent the creation and spread of such deceptive content. At the
time of the incident, the country did not have specific laws addressing deepfakes,
so existing defamation and cybercrime laws were invoked. Following the incident,
there was increased momentum to draft and implement comprehensive legislation
specifically targeting deepfakes and synthetic media to protect public figures and the
democratic process from similar attacks in the future
Disinformation and propaganda example: Fake audio clip scandal
Deepfakes Guidelines: Mitigating risks while fostering innovation
Entertainment application: De-aging in film
A film directed by a renowned director features a well-known actor in the lead role as a
hitman. The movie required flashback scenes where the actors needed to appear young
er. To achieve this effect, the filmmakers used deepfake technology to de-age the lead
actor and others, digitally altering their appearances and giving them a more youthful
look.
The use of deepfake technology in the film resulted in significant cost savings and pro
duction efficiencies, allowed for high-quality realistic de-aging effects, and generated
substantial media buzz, likely boosting box office performance and audience engage
ment.
This application of deepfake technology was entirely consensual and approved, show
casing an ethical and beneficial use of the technology in artistic expression to enhance
Marketing application: Deepfake ad campaign
A popular food delivery platform harnessed deepfake technology to create a captivating
and context-aware advertisement. The ad features a famous actor, who appears to be
ordering food based on his cravings. However, the ad changes based on the viewer’s
GPS location. The seamless integration of the actor’s likeness and the personalized con
tent made this ad engage viewers on a local and relatable level.
The use of deepfake technology in the ad campaign resulted in cost-effective personal
ization, increased viewer engagement, and higher conversion rates, significantly boost
ing the platform’s revenue and brand loyalty through innovative advertising strategies.
The campaign exemplifies an ethical application of deepfake technology in advertising,
characterized by consent, transparency, and disclosure. This example demonstrates the
potential of deepfake technology as a powerful tool for personalized and dynamic ad
vertising, highlighting the importance of maintaining ethical standards such as consent,
disclosure, and transparency to foster trust and authenticity in digital marketing.
The Arabic text is the legally binding version. The English translation is provided for guidance only.
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