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Catherine Connolly Slams Deepfake Amid Election Campaign

10/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Catherine Connolly, a presidential candidate, condemned a deepfake video that falsely claimed she withdrew from the election.
The video resembled an RTÉ News bulletin.
The video garnered nearly 30,000 views on Facebook.
Meta, Facebook's parent company, removed the account.
Connolly maintains a significant lead in the polls ahead of the election.

History

Historical Context

The rise of deepfake technology, first noted in 2017, has sparked significant concern over misinformation, particularly in political contexts. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn that deepfakes can mislead millions, as seen in incidents involving public figures like Catherine Connolly. As deepfakes evolve, their potential to undermine electoral integrity and public trust in media remains a pressing issue.

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Story summary

Catherine Connolly, a presidential candidate, condemned a deepfake video that falsely claimed she withdrew from the election.
The video resembled an RTÉ News bulletin.
The video garnered nearly 30,000 views on Facebook.
Meta, Facebook's parent company, removed the account.
Connolly maintains a significant lead in the polls ahead of the election.

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