Holly Cairns Proposes Personal ‘Ownership’ Law to Tackle Deepfakes

DUBLIN (Azat TV) – Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns recently unveiled a legislative proposal designed to grant individuals statutory ‘like ownership’ or copyright over their own image and voice, specifically targeting the escalating threat of deepfakes. Speaking at her party’s national conference, Ms. Cairns emphasized the urgent need for new laws to address the ‘industrial scale’ creation of AI-generated child sex abuse images and the broader misuse of personal identity online.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and the perceived ‘weak’ response from the Irish government to regulate online platforms. Cairns highlighted a stark contrast in enforcement, noting that while French authorities raided the offices of social media platform X over similar concerns, the company’s representatives in Ireland were merely ‘politely asked for a meeting’ in the Oireachtas, Ireland’s parliament.

Social Democrats’ Deepfake Legislation Push

Ms. Cairns articulated that the existing legal framework primarily offers intellectual property protections for creators like musicians, but a gap remains for everyday citizens whose images and voices can be manipulated without consent. Her proposed legislation aims to close this loophole, ensuring that individuals possess rights over their digital likeness, which would introduce ‘consequences for people who are creating deepfake images of people.’

The Social Democrats’ initiative is not entirely unprecedented. Last year, Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne introduced the Protection of Voice and Image Bill, which sought to criminalize the unauthorized publication or distribution of manipulated identities for purposes such as advertising, political messaging, fundraising, or influencing public opinion without individual consent. This earlier bill also specifically encompassed technologies designed to replicate a person’s image or voice.

Addressing ‘Industrial Scale’ AI Abuse

The call for stronger deepfake legislation resonates with international efforts to combat the misuse of AI-generated content. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton have publicly supported similar legislation in the United States, advocating for victims of non-consensual deepfake pornography to have legal recourse against those who produce and distribute such content. Hilton described deepfake pornography as an ‘epidemic’ and a ‘newest form of victimisation happening at scale.’

Cairns underscored the rapid pace of technological change, stating that ‘it’s hard for politics to keep up at times.’ She argued for ‘thinking outside of the box’ and reiterated the necessity of a new law to establish explicit rights for individuals over their own bodies and voices in the digital realm. The focus on deepfakes specifically addresses malicious content, particularly the proliferation of AI-generated child sex abuse material, which she described as being created on an ‘industrial scale.’

Broader Calls for Online Accountability

Beyond deepfakes, Ms. Cairns also touched upon broader online safety issues. Responding to a recent poll in The Irish Times indicating that three-quarters of Irish voters support a social media ban for under-16s, Cairns stated that such a measure ‘should be looked into.’ However, she quickly pointed out the ineffectiveness of the current ban for under-13s. Instead, she advocated for a more comprehensive approach focused on making online spaces inherently ‘better and safer for children, for minorities.’ This, she argued, requires addressing ‘toxic algorithms that are feeding people hate and toxicity by default.’

Her comments reflect a growing sentiment that while content bans might seem appealing, the underlying mechanisms of social media platforms and their algorithms play a critical role in shaping user experience and content exposure. The Social Democrats’ stance suggests a push for systemic changes rather than superficial restrictions, aiming to tackle the root causes of harmful online content.

The Social Democrats’ proposal highlights a critical juncture in digital rights, attempting to bridge the gap between traditional intellectual property law and the novel challenges posed by generative AI. By seeking to establish personal ‘ownership’ of one’s image and voice, the party aims to provide a more robust legal foundation for individuals to seek redress, signaling a shift towards proactive legislative measures in response to evolving digital threats.