“There was no evidence that the conversation was not with a real person and to question it” – as the city of Vienna explained on Saturday afternoon how it was that Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) had completely unnoticed on Wednesday made a so-called deepfake- conversation with the alleged mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko. Other colleagues in Europe had already cheated in a similar way before the head of the Vienna city council.
When realistic-looking media content (photo, audio and video) is modified and faked using artificial intelligence techniques, it is commonly referred to as a deepfake. In this particular case, the Viennese city manager was now the victim of a false Vitali Klitschko. Initially there was no response from the town hall, but Ludwig eventually admitted that he had been cheated in the video call. The real mayor of Kiev also reacted himself and warned to follow official channels for contacts with him.
Ludwig: “Serious case of cybercrime
Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) and Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida had previously been victims of a similar deepfake. While the two colleagues got suspicious and broke off conversations with the wrong Klitschko, Ludwig probably didn’t notice the trickery in Wednesday’s video call. “There was no evidence that the conversation was not with a real person,” the city of Vienna said.
Ludwig explained to the ORF that the fake Klitschko had become unusually demanding by the end of the phone call. “But I wouldn’t doubt that now in any way,” he said. “Because there were no catchy topics in the conversation, this is certainly annoying in specific cases, but not a big problem,” said Ludwig.
“Digital Warfare” located
In any case, according to Ludwig, it is “probably a serious case of cybercrime”. They identify a case of “digital warfare” aimed at eroding confidence in politics and discrediting Ukraine and its supporters. “We are currently reviewing the situation and will take measures to combat this new form of cybercrime in the future,” said those in charge of the City of Vienna. Messages about the video conference would be deleted immediately.
Bureau for the Protection of the Constitution and Co. Not included
The State Department said they were not involved in “preparing the appointment with the alleged mayor”. The Federal Chancellery was also not aware of the call. The State Protection and Intelligence Directorate as well as the State Constitutional Protection Offices would be available at all times to advise on such video calls. However, it was emphasized that this was the case Case on the part of the city of Vienna “no contact”.
FPÖ spot
In Vienna, the mayor’s misfortune was taken with malice. “Now Ludwig also has his Ibiza”, FPÖ country chief Dominik Nepp mocked. He demanded the immediate publication of the entire recording of the conversation: “There is a suspicion that Ludwig passed on confidential information and betrayed Vienna’s strategic interests. If this proves to be true, he must resign immediately.”
Action plan already decided in May
So-called deepfakes are becoming increasingly common on the internet. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) had already announced at the end of May that they wanted to take stronger action against the spread of deepfakes. An action plan was therefore adopted in the Council of Ministers. There should also be targeted campaigns for young people, so that they can better recognize digital counterfeits.
Source: Krone
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