China approves 487 deepfake algorithms from the likes of Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent

The latest batch of approvals is the second-largest since the CAC started publishing whitelists last year and includes foreign firms such as PC maker HP

Reading Time:2 minutes

The latest batch of approved deepfake algorithms in China is the second-largest since the regulation requiring registration took effect last year. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:29pm, 6 Aug 2024Updated: 6:30pm, 6 Aug 2024

China has approved another 487 artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that can be used for deepfakes, covering products from domestic technology giants such as Baidu, Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings, along with some foreign firms including Hewlett-Packard (HP).

The new list from the internet watchdog Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is the second-largest since the regulation came into effect in January 2023. Included algorithms are those used in products like Baidu’s portrait image diffusion generator that is bundled with its cloud gallery app Yike, and a search algorithm in Tencent’s WeChat, according to the list released by the CAC on Monday.

Alibaba, owner of the South China Morning Post, registered an algorithm to assist with creating documents in its enterprise collaboration tool DingTalk, and a multimodal algorithm designed for corporate clients to generate images and video, which was developed by its research arm Damo Academy.

The efforts are in compliance with the Administrative Provisions on Deep Synthesis for Internet Information Services, which regulates so-called deepfake technologies that use deep learning and augmented reality to generate text, images, audio and video, or to create virtual scenes that mimic people and things in real life. Failure to register an algorithm with the CAC could result in removal from domestic app stores.

The CAC has published six other whitelists, which until this month had been growing longer with each subsequent list. The batch of 492 in June was the largest so far, while the April and February groups included 394 and 266 algorithms, respectively. The first list in June 2023 had just 41.

Cai Peng, partner at Beijing-based Zhong Lun Law Firm, said the growing size of the lists reflects a “clearer” work flow between the regulator and applicants.

The roughly two-month process involves filing and polishing application documents upon the CAC’s request. “It seems that the regulator has established a more efficient process to work with the applicants,” he said.