The Ticino cantonal council is considering a motion to compel the Swiss Federal Council to develop a national strategy to combat the abuse of digitally manipulated images, particularly those targeting minors. The motion, spearheaded by Councilor of States Fabio Regazzi and supported by 16 additional parliamentarians, comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of deepfakes and their potential for exploitation, including sextortion and fraud.
Regazzi’s motion details the increasing use of fabricated explicit images and videos – often created using artificial intelligence – to blackmail individuals and their families. The document specifically cites cases where parents are targeted with deepfake pornography depicting their children, and individuals are threatened with the release of manipulated images unless they comply with extortion demands. The motion argues that anyone with publicly accessible images is potentially vulnerable to such abuse.
Alessandro Trivilini, an expert in security and digital technologies, emphasized the need to distinguish between authentic and manipulated content. “This proves crucial to distinguish the true from the plausible,” he stated, highlighting the challenges in identifying deepfakes. The motion calls for a coordinated approach involving preventative measures and regulatory frameworks to address the issue.
The concerns extend beyond individual cases of exploitation. In June 2021, reports indicated a growing number of false videos circulating online, raising fears about a future where distinguishing truth from falsehood becomes impossible. The potential for deepfakes to be used in disinformation campaigns, particularly in the context of political elections, has also been a significant worry. In 2024, with a record number of elections globally, anxieties were high that AI-generated disinformation could influence voter decisions, though evidence of substantial impact remains inconclusive, according to recent analysis.
The issue of deepfakes has also drawn scrutiny from international bodies. In France, authorities are examining the algorithms used by X (formerly Twitter) and the deepfake capabilities of Grok, the generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by the company, according to reports. This investigation suggests a broader international effort to understand and regulate the technology.
While the potential for political manipulation through deepfakes has been widely discussed, research suggests their actual impact on recent elections, including those in the United States, has been limited. But, the technology continues to evolve, and the risk of misuse remains a significant concern, particularly regarding the exploitation of individuals and the spread of misinformation.
The Swiss Federal Council has not yet responded to the motion submitted by Regazzi and his colleagues. A timeline for consideration and potential action remains unconfirmed.
