TECH NEWS | Singapore proposes deepfake ban to protect election integrity

The island city-state of Singapore has proposed a new law banning deepfakes and digitally manipulated content of election candidates, aiming to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. Introduced by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), the ban would apply during the election period from the issuance of the writ of election until polling closes.

“The bill addresses a serious issue. Deepfakes – realistic videos created using Artificial intelligence that make it appear as if the person in the video is doing or saying something they never did – are a big issue that can sway a viewer into believing false information,” said Boris Cipot, senior security engineer at Synopsys Software Integrity Group. “In the past, deepfakes videos have been showcased several times to show how they can mislead the public. Popular deepfake videos of Barack Obama from 2018 and Nancy Pelosi from 2019, both showcase what this technique of video editing is capable of and how realistic videos created by AI can influence the public’s thoughts.”

The Singapore law targets AI-generated misinformation that misrepresents candidates, recognizing the rising global threat of hyper-realistic deepfakes. The law includes penalties for publishing or sharing such content, with steep fines for non-compliant social media platforms. While Singapore already has legislation to combat falsehoods, this bill addresses the specific risks deepfakes pose to electoral outcomes, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity in the political landscape.

“Singapore’s proposal to ban deepfakes of candidates during elections is a proactive move, aligning with its broader strategy to protect the integrity of its democratic processes and prevent misinformation. Deepfakes—highly convincing yet entirely fabricated video or audio content—pose a substantial threat to electoral systems worldwide,” said Abhishek Kumar Singh, head of Security Engineering, Singapore at Check Point Software Technologies. “They can be used to spread disinformation, mislead voters, and potentially damage the reputations of political candidates. As deepfakes become more sophisticated and accessible, their ability to create confusion and distrust in electoral outcomes grows, making such regulatory actions increasingly critical.”

Singapore’s emphasis on cybersecurity and digital literacy, along with its clear regulatory measures, places it at the forefront of countries combating the misuse of AI-driven technology in politics.

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