The LDPR faction, led by Leonid Slutsky, has initiated the introduction of a bill to the State Duma that fundamentally changes the approach to the use of generative technologies. According to the document, the use of deepfakes should be considered an aggravating circumstance in the commission of any crime. At first glance, the initiative seems like a logical step in the era of rapid AI development, but it raises questions due to the party's own experiments with the same technology.
Mechanism of the new law: two key schemes
The bill's developers highlight two main scenarios where deepfakes become a tool for criminals. The first is the imitation of a real person: generated files reproduce the voice or actions of a specific individual that they never performed. The second is the creation of a fictional image: technologies simulate a non-existent character for illegal activities, ranging from fraud to discreditation.
The authors of the explanatory note emphasize that modern deepfakes are so realistic that they mislead even experienced users. Fraudsters actively use this technology to lend weight to their schemes, significantly complicating investigations and the proper classification of offenses. The proposed changes will allow the judicial system to more accurately differentiate the degree of responsibility, providing criminal law with an adequate tool for working in the digital age.
Party contradiction: AI-Zhirinovsky and memecoins
Of particular interest is the context: the LDPR, which demands imprisonment for deepfakes, is itself actively experimenting with AI. At one of the economic forums in St. Petersburg, the party presented a unique neural network called "Zhirinovsky." The virtual double of the party's founder, trained on a mass of archival letters, interviews, and speeches, is capable of formulating logical responses, imitating Vladimir Volfovich's mannerisms.
The developers emphasize the memorial nature of the project, created exclusively with the consent of the leadership. However, the very fact of the party members' intensive work with recreating a human likeness adds additional weight to the discussion. Moreover, one of the LDPR deputies proposed issuing a commemorative memecoin, following the example of a similar project by Donald Trump. The party is clearly striving to establish itself in the high-tech agenda, promoting its image among the youth audience.
My analysis. The LDPR initiative is a symptom of a pressing need, but its implementation looks like an attempt to "close the barn door after the horse has bolted." Instead of systemic AI regulation, we get targeted criminal measures that are unlikely to stop skilled fraudsters. Surprisingly, the party that created its own digital double now demands punishment for similar actions. This creates a dangerous precedent of double standards, where "our" deepfakes are cultural heritage, and "theirs" are a criminal offense.