AI generated images and video have emerged, with local police now involved in the case.
First reported by BBC News, Cllr Pete Kilbane, the City of York’s Labour council leader, has been targeted by online criminals.
Among the content is a clip which purports to show the authority chief handing over cash to masked figures in balaclavas, with an as-yet-unidentified flag appearing in the scene.
Still images have also surfaced on social media, including false quotes from Kilbane relating to religious festivals. A spokesperson for York council has given comment, and described the campaign as a ‘deliberate intention of misleading people’. They also dismissed claims the actions amounted to ‘satire’. Since the content was discovered, the councillor has been advised by police to increase security at home.
‘As a local authority, we issue a significant amount of information so people know how to access essential services and get the right support when they need it,’ a statement from City of York. ‘A persistent stream of fake content risks causing real confusion for residents and undermining trust in the information they rely on.’
‘Some councillors have already been personally targeted by this type of content and have sought support and advice from the police,’ it continued. ‘While certain posts may appear harmless, evidence from similar incidents elsewhere shows that sustained misinformation of this kind can escalate.’
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