Deepfakes and the urgent need for strong safeguards

Manipulated content: With just a smartphone and an Internet ­connection, anyone, including teenagers, can create convincing ­deepfakes. Without proper legal, ethical and educational guardrails, this creates a dangerous environment ripe for exploitation. — 123rf.com

THE recent arrest of a teenager in Johor for allegedly selling deepfake porn of his schoolmates on social media reveals a growing threat that our laws and ­societal norms are not yet equipped to handle.

While swift action by the police is commendable, it’s crucial to consider the broader question: What are the consequences on creators and distributors of obscene or manipulated content online?