AI-Generated Deepfakes Threaten Brazilian Elections

• •AI-generated deepfakes are now the primary threat to Brazilian elections.
• •Disinformation is spreading more through closed platforms like WhatsApp than open networks.
• •The CGI.br has issued guidelines to help the public identify and combat misleading content.

The Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) has identified AI-generated deepfake videos as the leading digital threat to democracy and election integrity in Brazil. This shift marks a significant change from traditional fake news, with deepfakes now being widely disseminated across various digital platforms, particularly messaging apps like WhatsApp. The CGI.br report highlights that the sophistication of these AI-generated contents makes them increasingly difficult to detect. Experts warn that the rise of deepfakes could lead to widespread voter distrust and a general skepticism towards credible institutions, including the media and judiciary. The report also emphasizes the role of political polarization in exacerbating the issue, as individuals tend to consume information that aligns with their beliefs. The CGI.br has released guidelines to help citizens identify misleading content and combat disinformation during the electoral period. The situation is urgent as the upcoming elections are at risk of being significantly influenced by these technologies.