Fake

In a fortnight of rolling blunders, the One Nation leader digs deep into the Trump playbook of blame-shiftingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThere’s apparently only one thing to blame for Pauline Hanson’s string of bad headlines in recent weeks, from her decision to pal around with the far-right convicted criminal Tommy Robinson to her description of domestic violence on Wednesday as a “two-way street”.According to the One Nation leader, it’s of course not Hanson herself who is to blame. Continue reading...

• Experts are urging AI developers and deployers to begin preparing for compliance with the EU AI Act's new transparency requirements. • The regulations mandate that businesses must clearly label and disclose content generated by AI, specifically targeting "deepfakes" and generative-AI outputs. • These rules matter as they aim to protect consumers from misinformation and ensure the authenticity of digital content across the European Union.

Chinese retail platform handed penalty over listings for items such as counterfeit products and unsafe toysBusiness live – latest updatesAliExpress, the Chinese online retail platform, has been fined a record €550m (£470m) by the EU over its failure to stop illegal goods including harmful clothing, cosmetics and kitchen gadgets being sold through its site.The European Commission fine is the biggest yet exacted by the bloc under the Digital Services Act (DSA), legislation that came into force in 2024, to protect consumers from illegal goods, deceptive or addictive marketing techniques. Continue reading...

• The ruling Democratic Party of Korea has threatened to sue opposition lawmaker Rep. Joo Jin-woo for allegedly violating a recently enacted fake news law. • The legal action follows the distribution of a video clip featuring the first lady, which the ruling party claims contains false information. • This move highlights the intensifying political conflict in South Korea over the regulation of misinformation and the legal boundaries of legislative speech.

More than 158,000 items of fake kit seized featuring World Cup semi-finalists England, France and SpainMore than 158,000 fake football strips have been seized in an operation targeting World Cup counterfeit kit and blocking criminals from trying to “cash in on fan demand”.Edinburgh’s trading standards team confiscated 9 tonnes of Scotland, England and other nations’ fake kits, worth an estimated £5.5m. Continue reading...

• The U.S. and Philippines are establishing a joint AI hub designed to create high-tech jobs and strategically reduce regional dependence on Chinese technology. • The initiative faces scrutiny due to a history of systemic corruption, including a reported 421 fake projects funded within the nation. • Critics argue that the strategy overlooks the precarious reality of local BPO workers and farmers, raising concerns about legal accountability and actual implementation.

President ordered investigation after fictitious federal body allocated funding and office space, triggering renewed scrutiny of corruption A fictitious federal entity that was allocated 1.3 billion naira (£705,248) in Nigeria’s 2026 budget has precipitated a political storm in Africa’s largest democracy in the run-up to January’s general election.The fake agency came to light last October when Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, wrote to the police alleging that his signature, along with official seals and reference numbers, had been forged by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who was claiming to have been appointed by the presidency to head the presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC). Continue reading...

• South Korea began enforcing a new law on Tuesday that allows for steep punitive damages against news outlets and social media influencers who spread false information. • Journalist groups have raised alarms that the legislation could invite state censorship and chill public discourse by penalizing critical reporting. • The law arrives amid high political polarization, with critics citing figures like Yoon who have used unsubstantiated election fraud claims to rally conservative supporters.

• South Korea is amending its communications act to implement stricter regulations and clamp down on individuals and entities spreading false information online. • The move aims to curb the proliferation of "fake news," though critics argue the legislation could threaten freedom of speech and press liberties. • This shift is significant as South Korea has maintained one of Asia’s most open media landscapes since transitioning from authoritarian rule in the late 1980s.

• South Korea has implemented a new "fake news" law allowing courts to award damages up to five times the proven losses against media outlets and large social media accounts that spread false information. • The legislation follows a political crisis where YouTube claims of election fraud exacerbated the fallout from a brief martial-law order. • While the government argues the law protects democracy, journalists and critics warn it could create a "chilling effect" on free speech and press freedom.

• South Korea has implemented a new law enabling punitive damages for media outlets and influencers who knowingly spread false or manipulated content. • The legislation also mandates that digital platforms accelerate the removal of disputed posts to curb the spread of disinformation. • Legal experts note that the law's actual impact will depend on judicial interpretation, with upcoming court cases expected to define the legal risks for journalists and creators.

• South Korea's revised Information and Communications Network Act, commonly referred to as the “fake news” law, officially came into force on Tuesday. • The legislation targets "false or manipulated" information, defined as content that is partially or entirely untrue or altered to mislead audiences into believing it is factual. • This law matters as it reshapes the legal framework for handling unlawful information and increases the government's ability to regulate digital content.

• South Korea has implemented a new law targeting "fake news" following a surge in online misinformation, including false claims of Chinese interference in the electoral system after the failed 2024 martial law attempt. • Under the new regulations, repeat offenders whose content is ruled illegal by the courts can face significant financial penalties of up to 1 billion won (€573,000). • Journalists' groups have raised concerns that the law could be weaponized to stifle press freedom and suppress legitimate reporting through legal intimidation.

• South Korea began enforcing a new law on Tuesday that allows for steep punitive damages against news outlets and social media influencers who spread false information. • The legislation targets "fake news" by imposing significant financial penalties on those found to be disseminating misinformation. • Journalist groups have raised alarms, warning that the law could invite government censorship and chill public discourse.

• South Korea has implemented a new law allowing for steep punitive damages against news outlets and social media influencers who spread false information. • Journalist groups warn that the legislation could stifle public discourse and be weaponized by the state to invite censorship. • The law arrives amid political polarization, with critics noting that figures like Yoon have previously promoted unsubstantiated election fraud claims to rally conservative supporters.

• South Korea’s National Assembly proposed new bills on Friday to penalize lawyers and litigants who submit court documents containing AI-generated fake case citations. • The legislation aims to curb the misuse of generative AI, which has led to the submission of fabricated legal precedents in judicial proceedings. • These measures are critical for maintaining the integrity of the legal system and preventing the erosion of trust in judicial evidence and professional ethics.

Asad Hussain, 36, from Cheadle in Greater Manchester, found guilty of stalking involving serious alarm or distressA man has been jailed for eight years after he set up a fake Tinder profile for his ex-partner and enticed multiple men to her house with the intention of raping her.Asad Hussain, 36, also known as Ash Hussain, from Cheadle in Greater Manchester, appeared at Chester crown court on Monday, where he was also handed a 15-year restraining order. He had previously been found guilty of stalking involving serious alarm or distress and assault by beating. Continue reading...

• Singaporean man Andie Tan Kok Yong faces potential jail time for posting an edited image of Marina Bay Sands on fire to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Facebook page. • The post included a mention of a "bomb," leading to charges of communicating a false threat and obstructing justice after Tan performed a factory reset on his phone. • This case highlights the severity with which Singapore treats threats against national landmarks and public officials, as well as the legal consequences of tampering with evidence.

Nearly one in six pieces of news shared in local Facebook groups during the campaign is false, Social Market Foundation report findsGood morning. Andy Burnham seems to be on course to win the Makerfield byelection on Thursday. But, if he does win, it will be despite a huge increase in the amount of hostile, fake news about him circulating on local Facebook groups. This has been documented in a report out today by the Social Market Foundation thinktank that has important implications not just for Makerfield, but for how politics functions today in a social media environment awash with lies.In its report, the SMF says:Nearly 1 in 6 pieces of news shared in local Facebook groups during the campaign is false, with misinformation heavily targeting Labour and its candidate Andy Burnham, a new study has found.The Social Market Foundation analysed over 1,800 posts across four local Facebook groups – representing different towns and settlements within the constituency with 66,000 members across them in total – and found that the share of news posts classified as misinformation jumped from 4% before the by-election was called to 16% during the campaign, a four-fold increase. Continue reading...

• Industry experts warned at a regional forum in Tokyo on Thursday that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is escalating cybersecurity risks across Asia. • AI is being used to create more sophisticated and harder-to-detect threats, specifically ranging from advanced scams to high-quality deepfakes. • These evolving methods are creating a significantly larger negative impact on businesses, as traditional security measures struggle to keep pace with AI-driven attacks.

• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has issued a cybersecurity advisory warning against AI-driven authentication bypass attacks. • These threats utilize deepfakes and synthetic identities to target banks, fintech firms, facial authentication systems, and Video-KYC processes. • The warning highlights a critical vulnerability in India's financial infrastructure as AI technology becomes more sophisticated and capable of mimicking human identities.

Apple Peiqing Ni targeted by account portraying her as promiscuous drug addict after posting about Tiananmen SquareA high-profile Chinese activist in the UK who was inundated with deepfake posts on X portraying her as a sexually promiscuous drug addict was told that the abuse did not breach the rules of Elon Musk’s platform.Apple Peiqing Ni, the 27-year-old founder of the UK-based China Dissent Network, had been advised by UK police to complain to the US-headquartered platform after she was targeted by what she believes is a pro-regime bot. Continue reading...

Governor urges public to report fake images posted on X of him and Reform UK leader in fake Question Time clashThe Bank of England has warned the public against falling for AI-generated scams after deepfake videos of Nigel Farage fighting its governor spread online.Andrew Bailey, the head of the BoE, said AI-generated content related to central banks was spreading and urged people to be “vigilant”. Continue reading...

David Rush, who was arrested in May, stole millions from US government through ‘special access program’, officials sayA former executive intelligence agent who is accused of stealing more than $40m in gold bars from the CIA reportedly created a fake spy program to siphon money, the latest on his fraudulent activity, the Washington Post first reported.David Rush, who was a senior-level employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for 17 years, was arrested in May after FBI agents discovered Rush had taken 303 bullion bars, each about 2.2lbs, dozens of luxury watches, and more than $2m in foreign currency from his government office. Continue reading...

Buyers are ripped off after assuming online stores were genuine because they are recommended by an AI toolYou want to buy a new bag and so you ask ChatGPT for help. You have always liked Russell & Bromley so you ask ChatGPT what is popular there at the moment.The artificial intelligence (AI) assistant gives you cross body, shoulder, casual and formal options with the prices listed beside them. You click through from the sources to what looks like the official Russell & Bromley site and buy your new bag, which is conveniently on sale. Continue reading...

Jess Asato was portrayed by AI tool as wearing a bikini after she criticised the creation of such non-consensual picturesA Labour MP has taken legal action against Elon Musk’s AI company after saying its Grok tool helped a user produce fake sexualised pictures of her, part of a wave of such images that flooded X earlier this year.Jess Asato, the MP for Lowestoft, said in January that seeing herself portrayed by the AI tool as wearing a bikini without her consent was “violating”. Continue reading...

Consumer group makes ‘super’ complaint to ACCC after investigation found dangerous items on platforms such as eBay, Amazon and AliExpressGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCigarette lighters that look like toys, gel blasters, flick knives and fake tongue studs are among the “frightening” number of unsafe and potentially banned products being sold to Australians on online marketplaces, a Choice investigation has found.After identifying the products, Choice on Wednesday formally asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to take action against the retailers and begin a review of the country’s product safety laws more generally. Continue reading...

• Counterfeit goods and piracy continue to thrive in Vietnam, as evidenced by bustling trade at markets near the capital despite government crackdowns. • On April 30, the U.S. designated Vietnam as the world's worst offender regarding intellectual property (IP) rights. • The U.S. may launch a formal probe by the end of May, which could lead to the imposition of trade tariffs on Vietnamese goods.