Nordic Broadcasters Pull Documentary on Russian Spying Amid Fears AI Could Unmask Sources
The broadcasters acted as a precaution after experts warned AI could de-anonymize sources in the 2023 series, which examined Russian intelligence activity.
- On Monday, Danish broadcaster DR and Norway's NRK removed the documentary series "Skyggekrigen" from streaming, citing concerns that artificial intelligence could identify anonymous sources appearing in the production.
- Originally produced by four Nordic public broadcasters in 2023, the series investigates potential Russian spying in northern Europe and claims at least 50 Russian civilian vessels may have secretly gathered information.
- Morten Goodwin, professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Agder, warned that AI has become adept at de-anonymizing poorly masked content affecting images, sound, movements and videos, stressing outlets must blur faces "completely, not just partially."
- Frode Frøyland, editor-in-chief of NRK's documentary show Brennpunkt, told AFP the unpublishing was a precaution when DR informed NRK of its decision, adding that NRK had originally "anonymised Skyggekrigen in a completely secure way" and is restoring it.
- With the advent of artificial intelligence, media organizations face evolving source-protection challenges, though Goodwin emphasized that "if anonymisation is done properly, there is nothing to fear," underscoring the importance of complete rather than partial measures.
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The Local - DkNordic broadcasters pull documentary on Russian spying amid fears AI could unmask sources
Danish public broadcaster DR and Norway's NRK have removed a documentary on Russian intelligence activities from their streaming services, fearing that AI tools could be used to identify anonymous sources, NRK said on Monday.
According to the expert, poor anonymization can reveal the identity of the source.
Aftenposten
NRK and Danish DR have removed documentaries from their websites for fear that AI tools could reveal the identities of anonymous sources.
Nordic broadcasters pull documentary on Russian spying, fearing AI could unmask sources
Danish public broadcaster DR and Norway’s NRK have removed a documentary on Russian intelligence activities from their streaming services, fearing that AI tools could be used to identify anonymous sources, NRK said Monday. Originally aired in 2023, the documentary series “Skyggekrigen” (“The Shadow War”) was produced by four Nordic public broadcasters and focuses on potential […]
The documentary three-part investigative film “Shadow War” was filmed in 2023 and tells about the Russian agency in the Scandinavian countries
The documentary "Shadow War" described the alleged use of Russian civilian ships for intelligence gathering. The stations pulled it as a precaution after concerns about AI misuse.
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