Technology

China's rules for "deepfakes" to take effect from Jan. 10

Regulations provide for people to be protected from being impersonated without their consent by deepfakes

REUTERS December 12, 2022

A combination photograph showing an image purporting to be of British student and freelance writer Oliver Taylor (L) and a heat map of the same photograph produced by Tel Aviv-based deepfake detection company Cyabra is seen in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters. The heat map, which was produced using one of Cyabra's algorithms, highlights areas of suspected computer manipulation. The digital inconsistencies were one of several indicators used by experts to determine that Taylor was an online mirage. PHOTO: REUTERS

SHANGHAI:

China's new rules for content providers that alter facial and voice data will take effect from Jan. 10, its cyberspace regulator said, as it looks to more tightly scrutinize so-called "deepfake" technology and services.

The regulations from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued late on Sunday provide for people to be protected from being impersonated without their consent by deepfakes - images that are virtually indistinguishable from the original, and easily used for manipulation or misinformation.

The CAC said the move was aimed at curbing risks that might arise from activities provided by such platforms that use deep learning or virtual reality to alter any online content, what the regulator calls "deep synthesis service providers", and to also promote the industry's healthy development.