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Meloni's Strong Stance Against Deepfakes

On May 5, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her outrage over the spread of deepfake images of herself circulating on social media. She cautioned that such misleading visuals could easily mislead and manipulate individuals. Describing deepfakes as a "dangerous tool," Meloni emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it online. In a post on X, she highlighted that numerous AI-generated images of her are being falsely presented as authentic by some of her political adversaries. Meloni humorously noted that the creator of these images had "improved" her appearance significantly. She stated, "I must admit that whoever created them, at least in the attached case, has also improved me quite a bit. But the fact remains that, just to attack and invent falsehoods, nowadays anything at all is used."

Meloni further shared the fake image that has been circulating, asserting, "The point, however, goes beyond me. Deepfakes are a dangerous tool because they can deceive, manipulate, and strike anyone. I can defend myself. Many others cannot." She underscored that what happened to her could easily happen to anyone, urging, "One rule should always apply: verify before believing, and believe before sharing. Because today it happens to me, tomorrow it can happen to anyone."
Public Reaction to Meloni's Statement How is Social Media Reacting To It?

Social media users have reacted strongly to the issue. One user criticized the individual responsible for creating such deepfake images, arguing that those who use someone else's likeness without permission should face legal consequences. "Once a technology has been created, it cannot be censored, but everyone is responsible for what they create, and if they use the face of a third person without consent, it is right that they face criminal penalties for it. Perhaps it is time to toughen the penalties on this matter," she stated. Another user expressed sadness over the situation, commending Meloni for her courage in addressing the issue. "This is sad to see this happening. I appreciate you for standing up and sharing your views. Everybody must think like you!! Yes, it can be somebody else, some other days. You are a benchmark of a powerful leader and woman!" A third user praised Meloni's response, calling it "A truly masterful reaction," and expressed admiration by saying, "I tip my hat to you."