Kari Lake sparks debate with cease-and-desist letter over deepfake videos on leftist political site

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake insisted that leftist news media website Arizona Agenda take down the "unauthorized" AI-generated videos featuring her, threatening legal action if they fail to comply, reported Daily Mail.

Arizona Agenda, a local newsletter founded by former New York Times journalist Hank Stephenson, recently shared a deep fake video of Lake that cautioned the readers regarding the interference of artificial intelligence in elections.

The attorney of the former Arizona gubernatorial candidate, Derek H Ross, issued a cease-and-desist letter to the outlet on March 22, demanding the "immediate removal" of the videos.

What does the cease-and-desist letter say?

"It has come to our attention that your organization, Arizona Agenda, has been utilizing Kari Lake's name, image, and likeness without her consent in order to generate commercial business for yourself," the letter said.

"This unauthorized use of Kari Lake's intellectual property is a violation of her right to control the commercial use of her name, image, and likeness. Such unauthorized use can, and indeed appears to be intended to, mislead the public that Kari Lake is associated with or endorses your organization."

Highlighting the letter as a formal notice to remove the deep fake videos immediately from all platforms, the attorney also demanded Arizona Agenda to refrain from "creating, publishing, or distributing" any such content featuring the Senate hopeful in the future.

It also reminded the newsletter's editors that Arizona's law prohibits unauthorized use of an individual name, image, or likeness for commercial purposes.

Lakes's attorney further warned of likely legal remedies if the content is not removed within 24 hours of receiving the letter.

In response, the Arizona Agenda wrote on X that they are consulting their attorney.

Kari Lake's deep fake video

The AI-generated deepfake video starts with Lake promoting the Arizona Agenda.

"Hi, I'm Kari Lake. Subscribe to the Arizona Agenda for hard-hitting, real news and a preview of the terrifying artificial intelligence coming your way in the next election, like this video, which is an AI deepfake the Arizona Agenda made to show you just how good this technology is getting," the AI Lake said as per The Hill.

The staunch Trump ally announced her Senate race in October 2023 and received the GOP presumptive nominee's endorsement. Lake mirrored the former president's election denial when she lost the 2022 gubernatorial election to Democrat Katie Hobbs.

Internet reacts

Commenting on Lake's request for the removal of the AI-generated video featuring her, internet users implied that she might not support the concept of free speech.

One user wrote, "Guess she isn't fond of free speech."

"Lake always cries wolf," another person remarked.

A user added, "I would have thought she’s fair game for anything, pretty much, since she’s running for office. This seems more like what a private citizen would file. Is that a thing?"

"How dumb. Lake should use this as a battle cry against deep fakes. Talk about a missed opportunity. The vanity! If I’m @RubenGallegoI volunteer to take Lake’s place. Just another great example of what terrible political instincts Lake has," a response read.

Another user said, "They used the word intellectual in regards to Carrie. They have no case," referring to the letter.

"Sue her into oblivion," someone else wrote, while another mockingly added, "But free speech..."

An individual chimed in, "It's a creative piece that is clearly identified as a fake, both in script and title. Fair use and freedom of expression? She's a public figure. Welcome to the future."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.