KULAI: Voters for the Nenggiri state seat by-election in Kelantan are urged to be wary of fake content which can be easily generated using artificial intelligence (AI) applications, says Teo Nie Ching.
"We are facing AI-generated content that can be easily made and edited, be it in the form of video or pictures," said the Deputy Communications Minister.
"There have also been cases where scammers have used AI to create fake content about the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and other famous individuals.
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"With the ongoing by-election in Nenggiri, there are many chances for irresponsible individuals to create such content," she said after the STPM student aid handover ceremony at SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra here on Sunday (Aug 4).
She said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police have yet to receive any reports on such content but would continue to monitor the situation, especially on 3R (royalty, religion, and race) issues.
"Do not simply forward or share content when unsure if the information is true. I also hope that candidates, their supporters and voters will use social media rationally.
She added that the MCMC will work together with the social media platform companies to take down content if reported by the public.
Teo said those caught creating such content can take action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities or network service.
Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani will take on Perikatan Nasional's Mohd Rizwadi Ismail in a straight fight for the Nenggiri state seat in Kelantan.
Nenggiri, which has 20,259 voters, is one of three state seats in the Gua Musang parliamentary seat.
All four constituencies have long been Barisan strongholds until they fell to Perikatan's green wave in the GE15 and 2023 state polls.
In the 2023 state polls, Barisan lost the Nenggiri seat by only 810 votes.