Nigeria Police: Deepfake Tracking for 2027 Elections Intensifies

• The Nigeria Police Force is enhancing its cyber intelligence operations to combat deepfakes and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
• The police are partnering with tech companies like Meta and TikTok to identify deepfake creators, obtain user data, and request content removal.
• Measures include digital forensic investigations, raids on "phone farms," and the establishment of the National Cybercrime Centre.
• The NPF has already arrested suspects for creating manipulated content, including a case involving a deepfake video of the President.
• Investigations will target offenses such as cyberstalking, impersonation, and incitement, with the aim of prosecuting those responsible.

This arrangement allows for a rapid response, with operational teams prepared to act upon identified locations of content dissemination to effect arrests and subsequent prosecution.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is significantly bolstering its cyber intelligence capabilities and digital forensic investigation methods in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. This strategic enhancement aims to proactively identify and address the proliferation of disinformation, particularly that generated through artificial intelligence. The police's objective is to pinpoint individuals responsible for creating and disseminating manipulated videos, cloned voices, and other forms of impersonation, as well as those orchestrating online campaigns designed to mislead voters and erode confidence in the electoral process.

In line with these efforts, the NPF has already conducted targeted operations, including raids on "phone farms," and has apprehended suspects implicated in the creation of deepfake content intended to distort online discourse. The Force has implemented robust measures to accurately identify the origins of manipulated content, verify the authenticity of suspicious information, and meticulously preserve electronic evidence for potential legal proceedings. These actions underscore a firm commitment to maintaining the integrity of the upcoming elections.

A crucial component of the Nigeria Police Force's strategy involves forging partnerships with major technology companies, including Meta and TikTok. This collaboration facilitates the police's ability to obtain vital information about users behind suspicious social media content, ascertain the geographical origin of such material, request its removal, and ensure the preservation of evidence for ongoing investigations. This arrangement allows for a rapid response, with operational teams prepared to act upon identified locations of content dissemination to effect arrests and subsequent prosecution.

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, conveyed this warning through Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi during a PUNCH webinar on artificial intelligence, misinformation, and Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Abdullahi highlighted that the NPF has drawn critical lessons from the challenges encountered during the 2023 elections, which led to the establishment of the National Cybercrime Centre. This center is specifically designed to fortify the police's capacity to respond effectively to technology-enabled crimes, providing a dedicated unit for these complex investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force has already encountered and acted upon instances of voice cloning and deepfake creation. One notable case involved the arrest of a suspect in Benin, Edo State, who allegedly produced a manipulated video depicting the President making statements he never uttered. Following an investigation, officers successfully traced and apprehended the individual, who reportedly admitted to creating the video merely "to trend" online. This incident serves as a clear example of the police's capability and resolve in tracking down deepfake creators.

The police representative affirmed that the Force will not tolerate the spread of misinformation or disinformation that could adversely impact the 2027 elections. He emphasized that comprehensive mechanisms are in place for the prevention, detection, and investigation of such activities, with the ultimate goal of bringing those responsible to justice. Investigations will specifically target offenses such as cyberstalking, criminal intimidation, impersonation, threats, and incitement, provided the necessary legal elements are established. The NPF is also actively engaged in cyber intelligence gathering and monitoring to identify and dismantle coordinated networks involved in malicious information manipulation, employing digital forensic examinations of AI-generated audio and thorough analysis of materials circulated across social media platforms.

Lawyers should advise clients on the heightened risk of prosecution for creating or disseminating deepfake content, especially concerning the 2027 elections, given the Nigeria Police Force's enhanced cyber intelligence capabilities and partnerships with tech firms like Meta and TikTok for user data and content removal. Compliance officers should review internal policies regarding online content and data requests from law enforcement.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH