City of York councillor targeted by AI deepfakes

According to the BBC, a fake video appears to show Cllr Pete Kilbane, the city council's Labour deputy leader, handing cash to men in balaclavas. An unspecified flag then appears behind him.

Alongside the fake clip, still images have been shared in social media groups – with one containing a false quote from the councillor about religious festivals.

Responding to the incident, the city council said the material “isn’t satire” and is being produced and shared “with the deliberate intention of misleading people” - adding that it has the potential to “erode confidence in local services and chip away at the democratic process”.

The council told Local Government Lawyer it is now exploring “a range of steps” to prevent the spread of deep fake material, including raising awareness so residents can more easily identify misleading content, as well as examining potential legal avenues including the protection of intellectual property rights.

According to the BBC, Cllr Kilbane has been given police advice to step up security at his home.

A City of York Council spokesperson said: “As a local authority, we issue a significant amount of information so people know how to access essential services and get the right support when they need it. A persistent stream of fake content risks causing real confusion for residents and undermining trust in the information they rely on.

“[…] Some councillors have already been personally targeted by this type of content and have sought support and advice from the police.  While certain posts may appear harmless, evidence from similar incidents elsewhere shows that sustained misinformation of this kind can escalate.

“Our priority is to protect residents, safeguard the integrity of the democratic process, and ensure accurate information about services in the city continues to reach the people who need it.”

Lottie Winson