Chinese authorities propose regulation for deepfakes

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has published draft rules to regulate technologies that generate or manipulate text, images, audio, or video using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. Titled ‘Internet Information Service Deep Synthesis Management Regulations’, the draft rules would require companies that provide deepfake and similar AI services to verify the identities of their users before giving them access to relevant products or services. Service providers would also need to obtain user consent before providing ‘significant editing functions for biometric information, such as faces and human voices’. Moreover, files that are altered using deepfake technology would need to be labeled as such. Other provisions of the draft rules include an obligation for service providers to create a use complaint system to prevent the spread of false information, and a requirement for app stores to suspend or remove providers of deepfake services at the order of relevant authorities.