Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency Warns Public Against Deepfake Misinformation

Baku, The Gulf Observer: The Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan has issued a formal statement addressing the recent circulation of false information across social media platforms, emphasizing the growing threat posed by the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies.

The Agency clarified that a fabricated video falsely attributed to First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov has been widely shared online. The video, which claims that Azerbaijan is pursuing an aggressive policy toward Russia, was artificially generated using “deepfake” technology and is entirely baseless.

“This fabricated claim was artificially generated using ‘deep fake’ technology and bears no relation to reality,” the statement said.

Condemning the video as a deliberate act of misinformation, the Agency warned that such AI-generated content is intended to distort the information environment and deceive the public. “We recognize that this deceptive video, produced with the aid of artificial intelligence by certain groups, is a blatant example of misinformation intended to distort the information environment and mislead the public,” the statement added.

The Agency urged the public to rely solely on information disseminated through official sources, including state news agencies and professional media outlets, stressing that the official stance of the government can only be verified through such trusted channels.

The statement concluded with a call to action: “We call on Azerbaijani citizens, journalists, and public activists to stand firm against such incidents and to remain alert in an environment where fake news and false information campaigns are increasingly prevalent.”

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have reiterated their commitment to preserving the integrity of public information and protecting citizens from manipulation.