Lifestyle

Telecast of 'deepfake' Christmas address by Queen shows her performing a TikTok dance routine

30 Dec 2020

Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, Britain. File/Reuters

Gulf Today Report

In an era of 'fake news,' as US President Donald Trump frequently keeps carping about, anything goes. One just has to be on guard over digesting what's sham and what's the genuine article.

Take, for example, Queen Elizabeth's address to the nation a few days ago. Did you know that there was a 'deepfake' alternate message aired on a British TV channel?

Channel 4's alternative Christmas message aired opposite the BBC's broadcast of the Queen's official annual televised message to the nation. In the speech, the digital version of the Queen also performed a TikTok dance routine and revealed her penchant for "Netflix and Phil" with the Duke of Edinburgh.

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More than 200 complaints have been made over this version of the Queen's speech, according to the Independent.

The alternate Christmas message saw a digitally-created version of Britain’s monarch speaking to the nation, in what had been billed as a warning about misinformation and fake news.

According to the Independent, the speech included jokes about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move to the US, and a nod to the scandal surrounding the Duke of York and his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

An Ofcom spokeperson confirmed the media watchdog had received 214 complaints over the broadcast.

They added: "We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate."

The director of programmes at Channel 4 claimed the alternative message aimed to serve as a “powerful reminder” of misinformation.

“Deepfake technology is the frightening new frontier in the battle between misinformation and truth,” Ian Katz said.

He added: “This year’s alternative Christmas address – seemingly delivered by one of the most familiar and trusted figures in the nation – is a powerful reminder that we can no longer trust our own eyes.”