Lack of data protection laws in the UK could see an increasing problem of AI “ghostbots” made from people’s digital footprints, new research from Queen’s University Belfast has suggested. “Ghostbot” is a term used to describe what happens when artificial intelligence is used to create digital reincarnations of the dead. The technology used to create this includes chatbots, deepfakes or holographs that can replicate the voice, face and even personality of a dead person using data from social media. 'Ghostbots' lie at the intersection of many different areas of law, such as privacy and property, and yet there remains a lack of protection for the deceased’s personality, privacy, or dignity after death Dr Marisa McVey, Queen’s University Belfast As the concept of digital reincarnation moves into the mainstream, celebrities are beginning to showcase the capabilities of such technology, for example, a hologram of the late Robert Kardashian created using deepfake technology was gifted to Kim Kardashian by Kanye West in 2020, which used her father’s likeness and spoke in his voice. A research study titled Governing Ghostbots from Queen’s University Belfast, Aston Law School and Newcastle University Law School, has suggested that greater societal awareness of “ghostbots” and a “do not bot me” clause in wills and other contracts could prevent people from being digitally reincarnated without permission. The research looked at potential legal avenues to protect privacy (including post-mortem privacy), property, personal data, and reputation. Dr Marisa McVey from the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast said there was a lack of protection for people’s privacy or dignity after death. Currently, in the absence of specific legislation in the UK and further afield, it’s unclear who might have the power to bring back our digital persona after we die Dr Marisa McVey, Queen’s University Belfast “’Ghostbots’ lie at the intersection of many different areas of law, such as privacy and property, and yet there remains a lack of protection for the deceased’s personality, privacy, or dignity after death,” she said. “Furthermore, in the UK, privacy and data protection laws do not extend to heirs after death,” she said. “While it is not thought that ‘ghostbots’ could cause physical harm, the likelihood is that they could cause emotional distress and economic harm, particularly impacting upon the deceased’s loved ones and heirs. “Currently, in the absence of specific legislation in the UK and further afield, it’s unclear who might have the power to bring back our digital persona after we die.” In the US and EU there is increasing momentum to legislate on who has ownership over a person’s digital identity, for example the EU AI Act which requires greater transparency for deepfakes and chatbots. In the absence of legislation in the UK, one way to protect our post-mortem selves might be through the drafting of a legally binding ‘do not bot me’ clause that could be inserted into wills and other contracts while people are still alive Dr Marisa McVey, Queen’s University Belfast Dr McVey has suggested that in addition to more formal legislation, an increased understanding of the phenomenon of “ghostbots” could help people to protect their data. “In the absence of legislation in the UK, one way to protect our post-mortem selves might be through the drafting of a legally binding ‘do not bot me’ clause that could be inserted into wills and other contracts while people are still alive,” she said. “This, combined with a global searchable database of such requests, may prove a useful solution to some of the concerns raised by ‘ghostbots’. “We also suggest that in addition to legal protections, greater societal awareness of the phenomenon of ‘ghostbots’, education on digital legacies and cohesive protection across different jurisdictions is crucial to ensure that this does not happen without our permission.” The research was a part of the Leverhulme Trust-funded project Modern Technologies, Privacy Law And The Dead. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Banking app feature allows economic abuse survivors to mute malicious messages Augmented reality headset Vision Pro is ‘most advanced device ever’ – Apple Revealed: The delivery apps charging you double for your food shop

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MrBeast has hit out against YouTubers who photoshop fake tweets of his and use them in their video thumbnails to try and boost views. In a tweet, the 25-year-old took to Twitter where he called out the clickbait - this is when creators use sensationalised or misleading headlines to reel audiences in. First, he posted a screenshot of a video thumbnail by YouTuber Bolo showing an alleged tweet by MrBeast claiming that he will be dead within the next three years, with the titled called: "MrBeast's Disease Is Worse Than You Think," about MrBeast's Crohn's disease diagnosis. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Along with this image, MrBeast wrote: "Thank god for this YouTube video or I wouldn’t have known I’m dying in three years." Then in a follow-up tweet, he added: "Can we end the trend of Photoshopping fake tweets of mine as thumbnails? Thnx [Thanks]." The response sparked a discussion online about clickbait on YouTube videos. Some people didn't feel too sympathetic towards YouTube's biggest creator. "Going viral comes with a cost. Maybe this is part of the cost," one person wrote. Another person said: "Wait.. so since you're famous now you are calling out clickbait thumbnails?? look in the mirror my guy LOL." Though many tweeted their support for MrBeast and criticised the clickbait methods some creators use to try to drive engagement. One person said: "Tbh it would be very annoying if someone made a tweet I never made." "How can they do that for a little bit more views. They are just playing with people's emotions," another person wrote. Someone else added: "I hate this, but by posting this you have given them more clout." "It’s so scary to me that people would go out of their way to Photoshop images like that and put them out into the universe…" a fourth person commented. Elsewhere, MrBeast has been accused of playing a ‘cruel’ prank on kids in the latest challenge and MrBeast wants to make a Netflix quiz show with the 'biggest prize ever'. "Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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