With the presidential election approaching, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way (in her capacity as Secretary of State) and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today issued guidance to help New Jersey residents identify and avoid spreading deepfake photos, videos, and audio that use generative AI technologies to spread misinformation aimed at manipulating and misleading voters.
Deepfakes are fake or manipulated photos, videos, or audio that appear real, but do not represent actual events. Created using generative AI technologies, deepfakes can appear in social media posts, text messages, emails, phone calls, or voicemails as part of a broader threat of false information designed to mislead and confuse the public.
To prevent AI-generated technology from maliciously interfering with the upcoming presidential election, Lt. Governor Way and Attorney General Platkin are raising public awareness of how deepfakes can be used to spread false or misleading information about candidates, political parties, and the voting process itself, including where to vote, or even who has the right to vote. The guidance also educates voters on how to spot and avoid spreading deepfakes, and where to report them.
