Get the latest tech news

Deepfake dystopia — Russia's disinformation in Spain and Italy

Since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, deep fakes have been weaponised, infiltrating every corner of social media in Italy and Spain.

"As companies, they engage in massive competition to expand into new markets, even when they do not have the necessary infrastructure to protect users," says Luca Nicotra, Campaign Director of the NGO Avaaz, which specialises in investigating online disinformation. According to the latest report by the NGO Freedom House, at least 47 governments around the world — including France, Brazil, Angola, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan — have used pro-government commentators to manipulate online discussions in their favour, double the number from a decade ago. "It introduces obligations and requirements graduated according to the level of risk to limit negative impacts on health, safety, and fundamental rights," explains socialist MEP Brando Benifei, who has been leading the parliament's work on the file.

Get the Android app