West Papuan Activist Targeted by AI-Generated Disinformation Campaign
Koteka Wenda, a West Papuan independence activist, says AI-generated fake footage of her and her words is being used to spread disinformation on social media.
Wenda, who is based in the Netherlands and is the daughter of United Liberation Movement for West Papua leader Benny Wenda, reported that an Instagram video reel has been used to falsely depict her speaking out against a new film regarding land grabs and human rights abuses in Papua.
Sophisticated Manipulation
The footage, shared by an Indonesian nationalist account known as “bersamaastacita,” was created through the AI-manipulation of previous footage Wenda had posted online herself. The video appears to show her speaking against the Pesta Babi, or Pig Feast, a documentary about which Indonesian authorities have stopped some screenings.
“This video is really concerning, because to the untrained eye it looks as if it’s me speaking against human rights, or at least the sharing of important documentaries like Pesta Babi,” Wenda said.
A New Form of “Digital Colonisation”
With the video reaching hundreds of thousands of views, Wenda expressed deep concern regarding the impact of such high-level sophistication on political disinformation targeting West Papuan voices and Indigenous activists. She described the incident as “digital colonisation,” calling it a “new colonial tactic to oppress us West Papuans.”
“I mean, not only does Indonesia seek to steal our land and steal our futures, but they’re also stealing our bodies and our voices, and I feel particularly much violated by this recent AI video,” she said.
Wenda warned that the disinformation could build public distrust, noting that “there could be people out there, you know, other West Papuans themselves seeing my face for a prominent West Papuan activist, suddenly switching sides.”
Calls for Tech Accountability
While users have been reporting and blocking the fake Instagram reel, Wenda noted that the content has not been taken down. She observed that some have even characterized the video as “digital blackface.” However, she added that since she spoke up, the comment section has seen significant discourse, with “Free West Papua friends” stating that the video is AI, is not real, and is fake.
Wenda advised social media users to adopt a critical lens and verify the sources of posts and reels. She also emphasized that social media platforms have a responsibility to address these issues, stating, “It’s important that social media platforms take this seriously and push for transparency, push for accountability.”
Potential Implications
The use of AI to manipulate the likeness and voice of prominent activists could lead to increased difficulty in maintaining authentic political discourse. This trend may result in further attempts to target Indigenous voices through increasingly sophisticated digital means.
