Opposition deepfake video sparks outrage in Spain ahead of election
Spain’s main opposition People’s party (PP) has drawn criticism after publishing an AI-generated campaign video that makes people linked to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist party appear to confess to wrongdoing. The video has intensified debate over political disinformation and the ethical use of deepfakes as Spain prepares for a general election next month.
The video had nearly 2 million views by Friday and included fabricated remarks attributed to Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, and former Socialist prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, both of whom deny wrongdoing in ongoing investigations. A former Socialist party member whose likeness appeared in the advert has filed a legal complaint accusing the PP of defamation and digital identity theft. Most legal experts consulted by El País reportedly considered the video lawful because it was labelled as AI-generated and presented as satire, while questioning whether it was politically appropriate.
In short
- PP deepfake advert draws criticism in Spain.
- Video had nearly 2 million views by Friday.
- Debate centres on disinformation, ethics and legality.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The PP could argue that clearly labelled, satirical AI content is a form of political expression that lets campaigns criticise public figures and draw attention to matters already under investigation. If viewers can distinguish fabrication from evidence, restricting such material could chill satire and political debate.
The case against
Critics could argue that putting invented confessions in the mouths of real people risks misleading viewers, damaging reputations and weakening trust in election debate, even when the video is labelled as AI-generated. They may see a campaign’s reach and influence as creating a responsibility to criticise opponents without fabricating apparent admissions of guilt.
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