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Would libel/slander laws cover making fake videos of a real person saying things they didn't? Even if they did, I don't know if they would cover creating fake n

• geuis 9y ago
  Not a lawyer or even close, but I'd argue that from a layman understanding of libel law it should apply. Stating something publically that some actually did or said isn't libel. Making something up and saying someone said it already falls under libel.
• eloisius 9y ago
  That doesn't help for damage already done. Imagine our culture of political leaks right now, and then consider that leaked information could be real or synthesized and there's no way to tell the difference. Generate a few images of a politician in a compromising situation with a minor and accompanying synthesized "hot mic" recordings. It's a recipe for interesting campaign seasons at the very least.
  • radarsat1 9y ago
    Thanks, that's exactly what I mean. It's a scary thought, and one that that "fake Obama" video work I linked to really triggered for me. I mean, I enjoy working with machine learning and think it's a fascinating subject, but that work really gave me pause for thought about the ethics of what we are doing.
• jcranmer 9y ago
  The precise definition of defamation tends to be along the lines of "false statement of fact", "maliciously made", and "damaging to the reputation" (exact definition will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but these are the universal elements). Creating a video faking someone's statement of opinions would almost certainly qualify all the elements of defamation.