Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has removed AI-generated 'deepfake' videos spreading false information about the presidential election.
One of the videos had the appearance of an RTÉ News report on a false claim that Independent candidate Catherine Connolly was withdrawing from the presidential race.
The video appears to have originated from a Facebook account called 'RTÉ News AI'.
Another post from the account included false news coverage about the high number of spoilt votes being cast on election day.
The account and the videos have now been removed from Facebook for violating Meta's Community Standards which do not allow content that impersonates or falsely represents people, brands, businesses or organisations.
The content is still available to view on X but the platform told RTÉ News that the posts are being labelled as "manipulated media" in accordance with its policies.
The fake Catherine Connolly video has been shared widely attracting a mix of comments from social media users with some saying it looks realistic, while others dismissed it as a fake.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission, said it became aware of the video yesterday evening.
"Using pre-agreed communications channels with platforms, we escalated the issue immediately to flag these videos with a request that they be urgently reviewed, and I understand that the relevant accounts have since been suspended," a spokesperson said.
The media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, said it is aware of the incident of an AI generated video relating to the presidential election which has circulated on social media.
"An Coimisiún have contacted the platform concerned to understand the immediate measures they have taken in response to this incident and have reminded the platform of their obligations under the EU Digital Services Act relating to protecting the integrity of elections," a spokesperson said.
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'Disgraceful attempt to mislead voters' - Connolly
Ms Connolly has condemned the fake video, emphasising that she is still a candidate in the Presidential Election.
"The video is a fabrication. It is a disgraceful attempt to mislead voters and undermine our democracy. I will not be distracted. I will continue my campaign in every county, meeting people and making the case for a hopeful, inclusive presidency."
Ms Connolly's campaign team said they have requested the fake video’s "immediate removal and clear labelling as fake.
"A formal complaint has been lodged with the Electoral Commission," a statement added.
"If you see this video, do not share it - report it. The surest reply to lies is to vote," Ms Connolly said.
The Connolly campaign has also called on social media companies to "act swiftly and responsibly to remove fake election content, designed to deceive the public, to apply clear labels to AI-generated media, and to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities by preserving metadata and assisting investigations to identify those responsible for producing and distributing the false material".
Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan said the spread of AI 'deepfake’ videos is a "cause for concern".
"Unfortunately, we live now in an age where sometimes it is actually difficult to disseminate what is fact from fiction.
"And it goes around in WhatsApp groups and everybody and anybody is spreading it, and before you know it, there is a total non-story and you are actually out there defending it or you're out there explaining it," he said.
Minister O’Donovan added: "When you have misinformation and disinformation that riles people up into a frenzy, and causes unnecessary anxiety and worry, then you have people who go off and do really stupid things.
"It shows the importance of having a well-funded, properly structured, well-organised media, independent of the state, that reports the facts."
Deepfake videos use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate realistic images and sounds.
Additional reporting Evelyn O'Rourke
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