Canada Accuses China of Using Deepfakes to Target Dissident Yao Zhang
Yao Zhang, a Quebec YouTuber with 175,000 subscribers, faces an intimidation campaign by the Chinese government due to her criticism of the PRC. This campaign includes the circulation of sexually explicit AI-generated images of her, which Global Affairs Canada has attributed to the PRC’s “spamouflage” tactics. Zhang has also been doxed and received death threats, with her family in China facing pressure from authorities. Despite the risks and loneliness, Zhang continues to speak out, highlighting the real and growing threat of transnational repression.
John Q. Hosedrinker