Van Orden hit with cease and desist letter from Democratic opponent over AI deepfake ads

Van Orden Hit With Cease-and-Desist Demand Over AI Ads

Provpnadvice.com – Van Orden hit with cease-and-desist demand: Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden is facing a legal demand from Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke over AI-generated campaign videos that portray her making statements she did not actually make.

Cooke, who is running to unseat the Republican congressman in a competitive central and western Wisconsin House race, shared the letter from her attorney on social media. The dispute has drawn attention to the use of artificial intelligence in political advertising and the difficulty voters may face when trying to distinguish authentic footage from manipulated content.

“Not only are these ads beneath the dignity of your office, but Wisconsin’s common law of defamation fills the gaps yet remaining in Wisconsin’s statutory protections against fake AI videos.”

Cooke’s attorney argued that the videos falsely communicate that Cooke made particular remarks. The letter says the ads harm her reputation while also undermining confidence in elections.

“You are indisputably posting videos falsely conveying that Ms. Cooke has made particular statements.”

Cooke Challenges the Campaign Videos

The legal demand accuses Van Orden’s campaign of using fabricated depictions for political benefit. AI-generated material can be made to look or sound convincing, raising concerns when viewers may not immediately recognize that a video has been altered.

Political campaigns often use sharp criticism, humor and satire to make their case. But the Van Orden hit with cease dispute centers on whether the videos crossed a line by depicting Cooke as saying things she did not say, rather than simply criticizing her record or positions.

Cooke is seeking a rematch after challenging Van Orden in 2024, when she lost by a little more than 11,000 votes. The race has remained closely watched, with the Cook Political Report rating it a toss-up.

Van Orden Responds With Another Manipulated Video

Van Orden did not publicly withdraw the material after receiving the letter. Instead, he responded on social media with another manipulated AI video showing Cooke as a red bird wearing a Democratic Socialists of America shirt.

His campaign has also criticized Cooke over her financial disclosures. Those filings showed that, alongside her work as a waitress, she received income as a political consultant. Van Orden’s campaign has used that information to question her credibility.

“Rebecca Cooke is embarrassing herself because she got busted lying again and is now trying to cover it up.”

“The only thing Cooke is really concerned about is that people are finally getting to see her for what she is: an untrustworthy political hack who is willing to say or do anything for power.”

Wisconsin Legal Questions Remain

It is not yet clear whether the advertisements violate Wisconsin law. The state’s defamation statutes prohibit someone who knows a claim is false from publicizing a false and unauthorized advertisement. Cooke’s letter also cites common-law defamation protections that could apply when statutes do not directly address AI-generated content.

A cease-and-desist letter is a request to stop an action, not a court decision. The Van Orden hit with cease-and-desist matter could end if the advertisements are removed or changed, remain a public campaign dispute, or lead to further legal action.

Any legal review would likely depend on the specific videos, how they were presented, whether viewers were told the content was altered or satirical, and what the campaign knew about the truthfulness of the depictions.

FAQ: AI Campaign Ads in Wisconsin

What does a cease-and-desist letter do? It formally demands that a person or organization stop specified conduct. It does not itself determine whether a law was broken or require a court to impose penalties.

Why do AI-generated political videos concern voters? Altered video and audio can appear realistic, potentially causing viewers to believe a candidate made a statement or took an action that did not occur.

What should Wisconsin voters consider when seeing political videos online? Voters can look for clear disclosures, compare clips with full speeches or reliable reporting, and be cautious about content designed to provoke an immediate emotional reaction.