Spain's PP Faces Legal Challenge Over 2 Million-View Deepfake Campaign Ad
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 23
Spain's PP Faces Legal Challenge Over 2 Million-View Deepfake Campaign Ad
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 23
Summary
Leire Díez on Friday asked a court to force Spain’s opposition PP to remove an AI-made campaign video that used her likeness and those of figures tied to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Nearly 2 million views have piled up on the ad, which depicts AI-generated versions of Sánchez’s wife Begoña Gómez and others appearing to admit to kickbacks, prostitution-related conduct and other alleged wrongdoing they deny.
Spain’s Socialists called the video a “colossal lie,” arguing its tiny AI disclaimer could still mislead voters as the country heads into a general election next month.
Most legal experts cited by El País said the clip is likely protected as labeled political satire, though scholars and disinformation researchers said it crossed an ethical red line by putting false words in real people’s mouths.
Polls still show the PP leading before the 29 November vote, likely needing far-right Vox to govern, as the row feeds a broader debate over AI-driven political ads also seen in the United States.