Observador | Pro Bono | Do you know how to protect yourself from a deepfake?

Catarina Mascarenhas explains that “deepfakes in themselves are not illegal” and that there are beneficial uses for them, particularly in healthcare, finance and entertainment. The Abreu Advogados of counsel took part in the latest episode of “Pro Bono”, an initiative by Rádio Observador and Abreu Advogados, in which she clarifies that what determines whether a deepfake is lawful or unlawful is the context, consent and purpose. When used for “malicious purposes”, it will be illegal, she emphasises.

Deepfakes are false and manipulated content that “create the human perception that we are facing authentic and real situations”. There is no specific regulation in this area, although there are “legal principles applicable under Portuguese law. And the European Union has been developing some regulation”, she adds.

Catarina Mascarenhas concludes with some simple habits and common mistakes to avoid, stressing that “we should not trust things immediately; we need more literacy, awareness, and to always check and validate”.

Every Thursday at 4:35 pm, on the “Pro Bono” programme, Abreu Advogados and Rádio Observador help companies make decisions, understand the more complex aspects of the law and clarify some of the main current topics.

Watch the latest episode here.