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Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is taking legal action and seeking €100,000 ($109,345) in damages following the creation and dissemination of explicit deepfake videos featuring her without consent.
Deepfake technology involves digitally superimposing one person’s face onto another’s body. The deepfake videos in question emerged in 2022, before Meloni assumed office as Italy’s Prime Minister.
Authorities have charged a 40-year-old man and his 73-year-old father with defamation for allegedly creating and sharing manipulated videos of Meloni. The police tracked the culprits through the smartphone used to upload the videos.
Under Italian law, certain defamation cases can be considered criminal offenses, potentially leading to jail time. Meloni is set to testify in court on July 2 regarding the incident.
The Prime Minister’s legal team has labeled the €100,000 damages claim as “symbolic,” with the intention to donate the entire amount to organizations supporting women affected by gender-based violence. Meloni’s lawyer, Maria Giulia Marongiu, emphasized that seeking compensation sends a message to victims not to hesitate in pursuing justice.
Deepfakes, generated using artificial intelligence, pose a significant threat by creating realistic but false audio and video content. These manipulated media can be exploited to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and damage reputations.
Global leaders have expressed concerns about the misuse of deepfakes and the dissemination of false information. As AI technology advances, the authenticity of deepfakes continues to improve, raising challenges for maintaining trust and information integrity.
In a separate incident, African migrant workers in Italy face harsh living conditions and exploitation while working in the agricultural sector. Many migrants, predominantly from countries like The Gambia, Senegal, and Tunisia, live in squalid camps known as “ghettos” and work for low wages under the gangmaster system.
The gangmaster system, termed “caporalato,” involves migrants working for intermediaries who pay them meager wages. These workers endure challenging conditions, including long hours in extreme heat, with little regard for their well-being.
Despite the hardships faced by migrant workers, they play a crucial role in Italy’s agricultural industry. The exploitation of undocumented migrants in the sector has drawn criticism, with calls for improved working conditions and fair treatment.
Efforts have been made to address the issue of gangmasters in Italy, with the practice being declared illegal in 2011. However, undocumented migrants continue to face exploitation, highlighting the need for stronger protections and support for vulnerable workers.
As Italy grapples with the challenges of deepfake technology and migrant worker exploitation, there is a growing recognition of the importance of safeguarding individuals’ rights and ensuring fair treatment in all sectors of society.
