Female MEPs warned of deep-fake explicit image threat ahead of upcoming elections

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh warned that even if false images or other content are taken down quickly, the damage is already done. Picture: iStock

Female MEPs have been warned of the threat of deep-fake explicit images being used against them in the upcoming elections.

There are now serious concerns that women running in the EU elections could be targeted with AI generated nude photographs or fake videos of them in compromising positions.

Sitting MEP Maria Walsh described the prospect of deep-fakes as "terrifying" and has urged voters to be aware of AI generated content that may be used to discredit candidates.

"It's about having conversations, educating people about what is real and what is not and it's really to be aware of the impact AI has and can have on politics," she said.

She added: "It is terrifying, I'm not going to lie. I would be nervous as a young female politician."

Ms Walsh, who recently attended an event where executive director of the EU DisinfoLab Alexandre Alaphilippe warned that female politicians face a increased threat from deep-fake AI, said serious penalties must be imposed on those who carry out such attacks.

"Intimate images being shared, be it through WhatsApp or any other form, are disproportionately affecting women and young girls and that's the form of violence that comes under gender based violence. At a time where we want more women in politics then we need to get serious.

"If you're doing it offline or you're doing it online, you need to face prosecution," she said.

Sitting MEP Maria Walsh described the prospect of deep-fakes as "terrifying" and has urged voters to be aware of AI generated content that may be used to discredit candidates. Picture: Dan Linehan

Ms Walsh said she had been the victim of a fake website, which she said was homophobic in nature, ahead of the last EU elections in 2019. 

However, she said the use of AI to produce explicit or sexualised images of female candidates in June's election is a real threat which would be on a different level.

The Fine Gael MEP warned that even if false images or other content are taken down quickly, the damage is already done.

"In terms of mitigation, obviously, if something happens you report. But at that point,  you know it is already five minutes or maybe an hour too late. People must make sure that anything they come across, they call it out. Again, that comes back to reporting."

Last month the EU Commission contacted major online platforms including TikTok, X, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook about the risks of AI in the upcoming elections.

The Commission has asked the online companies to provide information on their mitigation measures for risks linked to generative AI, such as so-called ‘hallucinations' where AI provides false information, the viral dissemination of deep-fakes, as well as the automated manipulation of services that can mislead voters.