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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Academic warns KMT's deepfake use echoes Russia's Ukraine tactics

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A Taiwanese academic warns against the KMT's actions, comparing them to Russia's use of deepfake videos during the Ukraine invasion.
  • He cites a deepfake video of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy surrendering as an example of Russian disinformation tactics.
  • The academic urges vigilance against similar tactics aimed at undermining national defense and public trust.

Canadian academic Shen Rong-chin has cautioned against the methods employed by Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party, drawing a parallel to Russia's use of deepfake technology during its invasion of Ukraine. Shen's warning comes after KMT youth department former director Wei Chun-yu created a deepfake video using President Lai Ching-te's voice, which was subsequently supported by prominent KMT figures who accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of suppressing free speech.

This is why we should be wary of the KMT's methods.

— Shen Rong-chinComparing KMT's actions to Russian disinformation tactics.

Shen recalled an incident in March 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. A deepfake video falsely showed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announcing his surrender to Russia. This video appeared on various social media platforms and even the official website of Ukraine 24, a national news channel. Had Ukrainian citizens and soldiers believed it, it could have led to a complete collapse of their resistance. Fortunately, the Ukrainian government quickly had the video removed and Zelenskyy released a real video affirming his commitment to fight until victory.

We will never lay down our arms until we achieve victory.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyCountering a deepfake video announcing surrender.

Shen explained that Russia's strategy involved "strategic ambiguity" and contradictory narratives, aiming to confuse the public and erode their ability to discern truth. He pointed to the "Bucha massacre" as an example, where Russian propaganda offered numerous explanations simultaneously, fostering a sense of futility in seeking the truth. Applying this to Taiwan, Shen stressed the importance of being wary of the KMT and figures like Chen Yi, whom he described as "pathetic double-standard internet celebrities." He emphasized that national defense requires constant preparation and vigilance against those who seek to undermine the country's psychological defenses, warning that regret may come too late if the nation is lost.

Strategic ambiguity and a large number of contradictory narratives.

— Shen Rong-chinDescribing Russia's disinformation strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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