Taiwan's administrative agency recently proposed to amend the current "Election and Recall Law" to add an "anti-criminal" clause, and also add a "deep fake" clause, requiring the island's online platforms to remove so-called "deep fake videos" within a specified time. Relevant content has triggered criticism from all walks of life in Taiwan, believing that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities intend to use this to suppress public opinion.
Chen Shih-chung’s promotional video for running for mayor of Taipei caused controversy (picture from Taiwan media)
The so-called “deep fake video” refers to audio and video products that are “deep fake” through techniques such as artificial intelligence face-changing, making it difficult to distinguish the authenticity. For example, the promotional video of Chen Shizhong, the former head of Taiwan's health and welfare department, running for mayor of Taipei was too funny and was repeatedly processed and repackaged by Taiwanese netizens. Such behavior may be suspected of violating the "law" after the "Election and Strike Law" was revised.
The "anti-gangster clause" was added to the "election and recall law" originally because many candidates in Taiwan have gang backgrounds. The so-called "amendment of the law" is to exclude these people from being candidates for election. However, the DPP authorities have now taken the opportunity to include clauses excluding so-called "deep fake videos" and can require the release platform of relevant content to remove it within two days.
In this regard, outsiders have criticized that this is actually a replacement for Taiwan's previously hotly debated "Digital Intermediary Services Law", with the purpose of suppressing public opinion. Representative Li Dewei of the Kuomintang pointed out that the DPP authorities were amending the "Election and Recall Law" under the guise of "anti-gangsterism" and at the same time smuggling the "Digital Intermediary Services Law" in an attempt to control relevant audio, video and speech content that is not beneficial to them. Niu Zexun, a professor at the Department of Advertising at the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, also said that the so-called "law revision" mentioned "deep forgery", but as for what "deep forgery" is, the DPP authorities should give a clearer definition.
In August this year, the Taiwanese authorities' "Communications Commission" launched a draft of the so-called "Digital Intermediary Services Act", which would bring control of speech on the island's major online platforms, triggering an uproar in public opinion in Taiwan. For a time, "cyber martial law" and "green terror" were constantly criticized. This time, the manipulation by Taiwan's administrative agencies has once again encountered public backlash, and it was questioned that it was an attempt by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities to smuggle in the "Digital Intermediary Services Act". As for whether it can be passed after it is finally submitted to Taiwan's legislative body for review, I believe Taiwan's political parties will have another round of competition by then. (Source: Watch Taihai)
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