Iranian Hackers Use AI Deepfakes to Spread Disinformation via UAE Streaming Services

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Iranian state-backed hackers, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, used AI-generated deepfake news broadcasts to infiltrate and disrupt UAE streaming services in December 2023. The operation spread fabricated reports and unverified images about the Israel-Hamas war, misleading audiences in the UAE, UK, and Canada and undermining public trust.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event involves the use of AI systems (generative AI to create deepfake news anchors) in a hacking operation that directly led to harm by spreading false and graphic misinformation to the public, disrupting media services, and influencing public opinion. The AI system's malicious use caused realized harm, meeting the criteria for an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information. The involvement of AI in generating the deepfake content and its role in the harm is explicit and central to the incident.[AI generated]
AI principles
AccountabilityRobustness & digital securityTransparency & explainabilityRespect of human rightsDemocracy & human autonomySafety
Industries
Media, social platforms, and marketingDigital securityIT infrastructure and hostingGovernment, security, and defence
Affected stakeholders
BusinessGeneral public
Harm types
ReputationalEconomic/PropertyPsychologicalPublic interest
AI system task:
Content generation

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