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Electoral court recommends deepfake identification tool for candidates

Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court and Google on Wednesday (Aug. 26) launched a campaign to encourage candidates in the country’s 2026 general elections to use a YouTube tool capable of spotting content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) that replicates a person’s likeness. YouTube’s Likeness ID tool is available to users over the age of 18 and allows them to identify AI-generated content that uses the likeness of a person registered on the platform. Notícias relacionadas:Over 20,500 file for candidacy ahead of general elections this year.OAS to send international mission to monitor elections in Brazil.The move aims to enhance the tracking of materials produced or modified by AI, like deepfakes, that improperly use candidates’ identities during the election period. While announcing the tool, Judge Kassio Nunes Marques, head of the court, noted that the initiative comes as a joint effort to protect fundamental rights in the digital world and strengthen Brazilians’ confidence in the electoral process. “I am certain that the partnership between the public and private sectors, in support of democratic values, is one of the most significant expressions of the Constitution,” he declared. The decision, he went on to argue, takes on special relevance given the potential for harm resulting from the inappropriate use of generative AI during election periods. The tool will allow candidates themselves to monitor the use of their image in the digital environment and take appropriate measures when they identify potentially irregular content. Identity check To use the tool, candidates must have a YouTube account and access YouTube Studio’s content similarity detection section. They can also create an account specifically for this purpose. After accepting the terms of use, the user goes through an identity verification process, which includes submitting an official document and taking a selfie in both photo and video format. The platform then creates a record of the person’s appearance to detect possible instances of their image being used on YouTube. Registration processing may take up to two days. Next, the platform scans published content and notifies the user if it identifies videos that feature their image. Upon receiving the alert, users can review the material. If they believe their image has been misused, they can request its removal. The claim will be reviewed in accordance with YouTube’s privacy policies, and if the platform’s rules have been violated, the content will be taken down. Collaboration Fábio Coelho, president of Google Brasil and vice-president of Google Inc., noted that the company has been collaborating with the country’s Electoral Court since 2014 and reaffirmed Google’s commitment to contributing to the democratic process through the responsible management of its platforms and by offering solutions that enhance election security. The executive emphasized that collaboration between government institutions and technology companies is essential to ensuring a secure electoral process. Protection tools such as YouTube’s Likeness ID can help safeguard people against the misuse of technology, he said. “This protection is for everyone, but it is even more essential for women, who are often the primary victims of attacks on their reputation during elections,” he stated. Identity protection According to Judge Marques, the tool does not replace human analysis or existing monitoring mechanisms, but it expands the ability to identify content that is potentially harmful to the reputation and honor of hopefuls. He noted that protecting identity in the digital environment also means preserving the authenticity of public debate and voters’ freedom of choice. The minister further stated that the partnership with Google aims to anticipate risks and strengthen confidence in the elections. “The Electoral Court will continue to monitor technological changes, engage with experts, and work together with digital platforms to create a balanced information ecosystem that allows the electorate to fully exercise their rights as citizens,” he concluded saying.