Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to explain a video in which a double of him created by artificial intelligence supports his son Flavio’s candidacy for the October presidential election.
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The former head of state (2019-2022) is prohibited from speaking publicly while he is serving a 27-year prison sentence at home for an attempted coup d’état following his defeat in the 2022 election.
On Saturday, a “deepfake” of his image was projected during the Liberal Party convention which launched Flavio Bolsonaro’s candidacy.
“This is a simulation of my image and my voice produced by artificial intelligence. As everyone here knows, I am imprisoned and silenced by an unjust decision,” declared the digital avatar of the right-wing leader.
“I ask you to welcome with open arms the person I have chosen to replace me, the flesh of my flesh, my son Flavio,” added this reply.
The Court asked the ex-president’s defense to explain within 48 hours whether the image was created with his consent, in a decision published Tuesday evening.
If the “deepfake” was authorized by Jair Bolsonaro, there would be a “serious transgression” of his conditions of detention, says judge Alexandre de Moraes.
And if the former head of state did not give the green light, his son Flavio could have violated the electoral law, which prohibits creating “deepfakes” of public figures to broadcast political messages without their authorization, according to the magistrate.
In March, after several months of detention, Judge Moraes allowed Jair Bolsonaro, 71, to serve his sentence under house arrest for health reasons.
The ex-president must, however, comply with restrictions, such as refraining from using social networks or making public statements.
Flavio Bolsonaro will face left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October, who will seek a fourth term.
