Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a bold and unusual move, New Zealand Member of Parliament Laura McLeod brought an AI-generated nude image of herself to Parliament to draw attention to the growing threat of deepfakes. The ACT Party MP used the digitally altered image to demonstrate how easily artificial intelligence can be misused, urging lawmakers to introduce legislation to curb the misuse of this powerful technology.
Standing before fellow legislators, McLeod held up the fake nude image and said, “This is a naked photo of me — but it’s not real.” She explained that it had taken her less than five minutes to create the deepfake using publicly available tools. Her intent was to show just how vulnerable individuals, especially young people, are to the misuse of AI-generated content.
McLeod’s shocking yet calculated move sparked debate and support. In a video message shared on social media, she said, “I wanted to make Parliament understand how easy this is to do and how damaging it can be. Our young Kiwis are especially at risk.” She added, “Technology itself isn’t the enemy — the problem is the way it’s being weaponized to harass and humiliate people.”
McLeod is backing the proposed Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill, which aims to close gaps in current legislation around revenge porn and unauthorized recordings. If passed, the law would criminalize the creation and distribution of deepfakes without consent, making it easier for victims to have such content removed and seek legal recourse.
“Our laws are not ready for this,” McLeod posted in a follow-up message, stressing the urgency for legal reform. “No one should have to suffer as a result of something they never did or consented to. We must protect people from digital harm.”
The bill also proposes clear pathways for victims to demand the removal of harmful content and pursue justice. McLeod’s campaign has received wide attention, pushing deepfake regulation into the political spotlight both in New Zealand and internationally.
