MCMC warns of legal action over AI video of Dr M grieving Hasmah

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a stern warning to individuals sharing artificial intelligence-generated videos of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad grieving his late wife, Dr Hasmah Ali. Such manipulative content could lead to legal consequences under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and other relevant laws, MCMC has stated.

A 27-second black-and-white video posted on TikTok by user @vinustudio.my has garnered significant attention, amassing over 745,000 views, 30,200 likes, and thousands of shares. The clip depicts Dr Mahathir wiping away tears while embracing an AI-generated Hasmah, accompanied by emotional background music.

MCMC emphasized that the misuse of AI technology to mislead the public, distort context, or violate personal dignity should not be taken lightly, particularly during times of personal loss. The commission has reached out to social media platforms to review the content and has urged the public to report any suspected AI-manipulated material directly to the relevant platforms or authorities.

The commission stressed that while AI advancements offer numerous societal benefits, they must be used responsibly. Exploiting a person's grief for personal gain or to distort the truth is unacceptable and violates human dignity and values.