Papua New Guinea moves to outlaw AI deepfakes as victims call for more protection

Papua New Guinea prepares new laws to criminalise the malicious use of AI, including deepfakes, voice cloning and digital impersonation, due to an increased rise of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to manipulate photos taken from social media accounts.

Experts say the reforms are needed, but warn legislation alone will not protect people unless communities understand how AI is being used to deceive.

Ms Jennifer Baing, the daughter of former Markham MP Andrew Baing, plans to contest her father’s former seat at PNG’s 2028 national election. She fears AI-generated images, videos and misinformation could also be used to deceive voters, particularly in rural communities where awareness of the technology remains limited, due to almost 100 Facebook accounts using her name and photos to impersonate her or promote free giveaways. “We have to run awareness [campaigns] in communities where people aren’t educated enough to understand exactly what AI is,” she said.

Several countries, including Fiji, Tonga, PNG and Vanuatu, have signed up to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime; an international treaty that helps members investigate cyber offences across borders and obtain digital evidence.