Deepfake Video Scandal Threatens Irish Politician Cara Hunter's Career

Irish politician Cara Hunter experienced a terrifying moment on April 2022, while celebrating her grandmother's 90th birthday in rural Tyrone. Surrounded by family, she received a message from a stranger asking if she had seen a video circulating on WhatsApp featuring her likeness.

Hunter viewed the video, which she described as extremely pornographic, depicting a woman with her face engaging in explicit acts. This incident occurred less than three weeks before she was set to defend her East Londonderry seat in the Northern Ireland assembly elections.

Hunter, then 27, faced a barrage of vitriolic messages from strangers after the video's release, revealing the toxic environment women often face in politics. As she tried to navigate her campaign, her party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), advised her to ignore the video, fearing that drawing attention to it would only amplify its reach.

This advice left her feeling trapped, as she struggled to balance her political aspirations with the emotional toll of the deepfake incident. The police offered little help, stating that no crime had been committed, and they lacked the technology to investigate such digital abuse.

Ultimately, Hunter managed to campaign through the chaos and won her seat by just 14 votes, making it the most marginal in Northern Ireland. After her election, she chose to speak out about the deepfake experience, becoming a vocal advocate for legislation against deepfake intimate image abuse.

She highlighted the alarming statistic that 98% of online deepfakes are pornographic, with 99% of the targets being women. Despite the trauma, Hunter has been actively pushing for legal reforms, including a mandatory marking system for AI-generated videos to help the public discern the authenticity of digital content.

She faces ongoing anxiety as she prepares for the next election in May 2027, questioning whether her past experiences will affect her political future. The deepfake incident has not only impacted her personal life but also raised significant concerns about the implications of such technology in the political arena.

Hunter fears that incidents like hers could deter capable young women from entering politics, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion. With plans for consultation on potential legislation in Northern Ireland, there is a glimmer of hope for addressing the issue of digital abuse and its impact on women in politics.

However, public awareness and understanding of the harms associated with deepfakes remain critically low, underscoring the need for continued advocacy and reform.