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Over 200 complaints made against UK channel over ‘deepfake’ Queen’s speech

The fake Queen in the alternate message also spoke about watching movies on Netflix, and perfecting moves on TikTok.

30 Dec, 2020

A computer-generated Queen dancing across TV screens on Christmas day seems to have sparked controversy among British viewers.

The fake address was screened right after the Queen delivered her traditional yearly address.

In times of widespread misinformation, as reported by CNN, the channel seemed to offer "a stark warning about the advanced technology that is enabling the proliferation of misinformation and fake news in a digital age".

The speech included jokes about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move to the US, and an affirmation surrounding the Duke of York’s connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The fake Queen in the alternate message also spoke about watching movies on Netflix, and perfecting moves on TikTok.

Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, confirmed receiving 214 complaints over the broadcast, according to The Independent. A spokesperson from the regulator added: "We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate."

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 30, 2020 03:53pm

Too little, too late.

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SkyHawk Dec 30, 2020 04:17pm

Send this so called queen to work now. She has enjoyed her whole luxurious life only on taxpayers money.

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Gargoyle Dec 30, 2020 04:36pm

Funny! A nice way to show how difficult it is to control misinformation.

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vespucci Dec 30, 2020 05:40pm

it's always funny to watch westerners squirm when their own sensibilities are made fun of. Apparently, freedom of speech isn't brought up when its their own doing the alleged blasphemy

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Truth be told Dec 30, 2020 05:42pm

This is a very strong message making people aware about the menace of deep fakes. Couldn't have been more affective had they not used the Queen to send this message out to coincide with her annual message. No it is not too little or too late. Its timing is just right. BBC reported it but stopped short of showing the dance and the final cut which shows how the actress sat in place of the Queen for the cameras. Rightly done and at the right time, else people will not be aware of what deep fakes are capable of.

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LgbtqX Dec 30, 2020 06:45pm

She got moves!!

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well-wisher Dec 30, 2020 07:22pm

This is unacceptable in any society and perpetrators must be help accountable for public mischief.

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Critic Dec 30, 2020 07:31pm

Was India’s srivastava disinformation group responsible for this fake video?

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Steve lomas Dec 30, 2020 07:42pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad change the tune perhaps, look at it as a new year resolution!

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Steve lomas Dec 30, 2020 07:42pm

@vespucci missed the point entirely, well done. Try harder.

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FAZ Dec 30, 2020 08:16pm

Freedom of speech?

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Theepa Dec 30, 2020 08:36pm

Oh for Pete's sake this is not worthy of being news. Poor old thing has got every right to be cheery after dark times of covid n Brexit she has ushered into that country.

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Abs Dec 31, 2020 12:02am

Storm in a tea cup, there was nothing controversial in that short video, too many snowflakes in our society.

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Ali Mehdi Dec 31, 2020 12:47am

Before I saw the fake I’d seen the original message by Her Majesty. The tone is too off in the fake n one can easily make out that it’s not the Queen.

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Laila Dec 31, 2020 12:56am

@FAZ freedom of speech is not absolute. Even in Pakistan where we don't really have free speech we have many laws like defamatiom, blasfemy, etc. In western countries free speech is subject to local laws on libel, defamation, hate speech, racism, bigotry, incitement to violence or killing, terror etc. In the North Korea, China, Gulf and middleeast laws against critisizing the monarchy, emir, ayatollah, regime regularly get activists and citizens jailed.

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A2Z Dec 31, 2020 02:15am

The british public is concerned about the disrespect of their queen. Freedom of speech only applies to play with the emotions of Muslims.

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Amer Dec 31, 2020 03:05am

They may have learned from the Indian fake news folks.

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Marquis de Sade Dec 31, 2020 05:36am

So it is a spoof. Big deal. Laugh and forget.

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Teddy Dec 31, 2020 07:45am

The queen should move with the times.