Deepfake Belgium PM links COVID-19 with climate crisis

A fake video created by climate activist group Extinction Rebellion of Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès claiming that COVID-19 was directly linked to the 'exploitation and destruction by humans of our natural environment,' prompted concerns about the increasing use of deepfakes in politics.

Named 'THE TRUTH ABOUT COVID-19 AND THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS', the video was published on Facebook and garnered over 100,000 views within 24 hours. It was published with a disclaimer saying 'Any resemblance to actual persons is intentional. This video may be fake, but the information it contains is genuine.'