The Dark Mirror: Europe’s Politicians Face a New Kind of Harassment

The analysis by researcher Benjamin Shultz of 160 domains hosting deepfake abuse and nonconsensual sexual content reveals the disturbing reality that the digital landscape has become a battleground for harassment, intimidation, and reputational destruction. At least 138 female members of parliament (MPs) from 22 European Union countries have been targeted on these sites, with some having their likeness included in explicit videos or being listed in database-like entries that link to deepfake creation tools.

The data suggests a stark disparity: it is 33 times more likely for women MPs to be targeted by deepfake ecosystems. This disparity highlights the entrenched sexism and misogyny that pervades online spaces, where women are disproportionately subjected to harassment, objectification, and exploitation. The research’s focus on national members of parliament from all 27 EU countries underscores the scope of this issue, which affects not only European politics but also democratic discourse.

Multiple politicians have spoken out against these findings. Suzanne Kröger, a Dutch MP who was impacted by the research, described them as “really deeply disturbing.” Sarah Dobbe, another Dutch Socialist Party MP, noted that deepfake videos are used to intimidate politicians and belittle women. The severity of this issue is underscored by the fact that multiple researchers and lawmakers have sounded the alarm.

The ease with which deepfakes can be created and disseminated has transformed the harassment landscape. Since AI-created deepfakes first emerged at the end of 2017, the underlying technology has become increasingly accessible, leading to a proliferation of nonconsensual AI images and videos, mostly created by men and boys, which are often used to harass or blackmail women and girls.

The infrastructure behind these deepfake ecosystems is designed for ease of operation. As Henry Ajder, an AI adviser and deepfake expert, points out, this has led to a worrying trend of lawmakers being slow to introduce legislation to tackle the growing array of harms caused by deepfakes. However, recent months have seen progress, with bans on nudify services planned in both the UK and EU.

The implications of this research are far-reaching. It suggests that politicians, particularly women, face a new kind of harassment that can damage their reputations and deter them from entering public life. The “chilling effect” of deepfakes has been documented by multiple researchers and lawmakers, who warn that it can prevent women from becoming public figures in the first place.

The creation and dissemination of deepfakes are interconnected with offline consequences. These events are symptoms of a broader culture of misogyny and sexism that permeates our digital spaces. Addressing this issue will require a multifaceted approach involving policymakers, researchers, and civil society organizations working together to develop effective solutions.

The removal of at least half a dozen domains hosting the European MPs’ depictions from the web is a positive development, but it highlights the need for sustained efforts to address this problem. As we move forward, we must prioritize transparency, accountability, and support for victims of online harassment. The stakes are high: if we fail to address this issue, we risk undermining the very foundations of democratic discourse and perpetuating a culture of intimidation and exploitation.

The story of deepfakes is far from over, but one thing is clear: it has become a critical challenge that demands our attention, expertise, and collective action. As we strive to create a safer online environment, we must confront the dark mirror that has emerged in Europe’s digital landscape – a reflection of our own failures and shortcomings as a society.