China's new rules for content providers that alter facial and voice data will take effect from Jan. 10, Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said.
The regulator looks to more tightly scrutinize so-called "deepfake" technology and services. Deepfakes use artificial intelligence to create realistic depictions – usually videos – of humans saying and/or doing things they didn't say and/or do. They're controversial outside China for their potential to mislead audiences and create trouble for the people depicted, The Register notes.
Beijing clearly also has worries about the technique as the Cyberspace Administration (CAC) has issued regulations that prohibit their creation without the subject's permission, or to depict or utter anything that could be considered as counter to the national interest. Anything counter to socialist values falls under that description, as does any form of "Illegal and harmful information" or using AI-generated humans in an attempt to deceive or slander.
But China expects synthetic humans will be widely used, for instance, in chatbots. In such scenarios, deepfakes must be flagged as digital creations.
According to the document, online publications using dipfakes must also take into account China's myriad other rules about acceptable online content.
The regulations also spell out how the creators of deepfakes – who are termed "deep synthesis service providers" – must take care that their algorithms are accurate and regularly revised, and ensure the security of data they collect.
The rules also include a requirement for registration of users – including their real names.
Sources: The Register, Reuters
