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NLJ this week: Deepfake risks & a serious lack of remedies

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The use of deepfake technology is on the rise, and can look alarmingly realistic. Consequently, there is vast potential for harm. But can existing laws provide any protection against malicious use? 

In this week’s NLJ¸ Liam Tolen, senior associate, and Chris Fotheringham, solicitor, at Ashfords, assess the potential risks and remedies.

Tolen and Fotheringham find the current law lacking in scope and the Online Safety Bill missing any specific civil remedy for deepfake harm. They consider current laws, including the common law right to bring a claim for passing off. However, they note that a ‘regular person who isn’t a celebrity’ could have difficulty proving the requirements for a passing off claim. 

Read more on the rise of deepfakes here.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal

Penningtons Manches Cooper strengthens international disputes team with appointment of leading arbitration partner

Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders

Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders

Shakespeare Martineau strengthens trust and estates disputes team with new appointments

Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore

Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore

Bellevue Law strengthens employment disputes and international advisory capability with senior associate appointment

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MPs cannot simply resign their Commons seats. Instead, they take a nominal Crown office, usually the Chiltern Hundreds or Manor of Northstead, which disqualifies them from sitting
A divorced woman has secured funding to participate in her former husband’s inquest after the Legal Aid Agency reconsidered repeated refusals
The Thirlwall Inquiry has exposed a ‘complete failure’ to protect babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but its recommendations must now be put into practice
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