Beauty-enhancing apps, artificial intelligence (AI) image editing and deepfake technologies have become widespread, allowing any photo to be altered to contain scenes of kissing, hugging or even more intimate or absurd situations. Although we are aware that these images are fake, we cannot stop them from going viral online and causing misunderstandings.
Many have called for legislation to halt this trend, but in practice, hundreds of millions of photos have already been uploaded to social media platforms such as Facebook and Google, with data scattered all across the cloud. No matter how strict the legislation, it is nonetheless difficult to prevent the existence of anonymous accounts, overseas platforms or AI-generated fake images that can be created rapidly.
This is quite similar to lying. We cannot prohibit others from lying, but we can strengthen societal immunity — and in the digital age, that so-called “immunity” is digital literacy education.
The first step of digital literacy education is to cultivate the ability to detect fake content. When we encounter shocking photos or videos, we must not immediately believe them — instead, we should first observe whether the lighting and shadows are realistic or proportions are distorted. We can even use reverse image searches to verify their authenticity.
The second step is developing an attitude of rational skepticism: We must not immediately believe harmful images of someone just because we like or dislike that person.
The third step is media literacy, that is, understanding the differences between news, advertisements and rumors, and recognizing that algorithms often keep us trapped in echo chambers.
Finally, we must possess a fundamental awareness of laws and ethics, and understand that spreading false images might contravene the law and infringe upon others’ portrait rights.
Of course, the government still needs to promote legislation requiring online platforms to promptly remove malicious deepfake content, but long-term investment in education is all the more crucial. Starting from junior high and high school, media literacy should be incorporated into the curriculum to ensure that the coming generation learns to verify information and think critically, rather than be misled by fake images.
The greatest threat of misinformation is not technology, but ignorant people who believe and disseminate that misinformation without thinking. Only by establishing a digital immune system for all citizens — thereby making a collectively smarter and cool-headed society — can we safeguard truth and reason in an era flooded by fake images.
Hsiao Hsi-huei is a freelance writer.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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