People getting in trouble because of their deepfake videos going viral isn’t a new thing. We have seen that so many times already with famous faces, and now the same thing is happening with Bang Chan. The AI video or deepfake video that went viral is totally the opposite of his character in real life, and that’s why this Bang Chan lawsuit is becoming a HUGE talking point in the mainstream media. So let’s just talk about it a little more here.
What Exactly Is a Deepfake?
Before we move on, let us just clarify what a deepfake is. A deepfake is a video that is artificially generated by an advanced AI system, which portrays a person performing or speaking things that the person has not actually done. The technology is similar to Photoshop, but for video; however, it is also much more believable. The misleading videos of Bang Chan were so convincing that a large number of people fell for them. This is the reason why such technology is so alarming.
What Steps Did Bang Chan Take?
Not even for a moment did Bang Chan hesitate to take action. He initiated a legal lawsuit in a California court on the 1st of September 2024. The primary intention with which he aimed this request was to obtain data from X (previously Twitter) concerning the user responsible for the deepfake videos.
Only a few days later, on the 5th of September, the court gave a green light to his motion and granted a subpoena. A subpoena is a legal document that enables the staff to inquire X for the account information, such as the user’s email, contact number, and location via IP address. Such information offers the possibility of identifying the real perpetrators of the account.
How Did It Affect Bang Chan Personally?
Based on Bang Chan’s admission in the courtroom, this event impacted him greatly. He mentioned that the videos went beyond mere embarrassment but were also very disturbing. To him, the experience of pretending to be terrible while, in fact, it was just a hoax was still annoying and disheartening. Moreover, because what he had declared in court is publicly available, fans were very prompt in locating and disseminating his words.
Is Bang Chan the Only One Involved?
Not really. Another member of Stray Kids, Felix, went a step further and also submitted a legal complaint. Only two days after Bang Chan’s, on September 5, Felix reacted to a newly created online post in which it was stated that he had badly treated the staff, and that the words were false. The latter is a complete lie, and on top of that, it is an insult. Moreover, Felix issued a subpoena to get to know the identity of the person behind the work.
What Happens Next in Court?
The approval of subpoenas has already taken place. Thus, the lawyers of Bang Chan and Felix are anticipating the release of the user data by X upon receipt of the court order. After they get it, they will probably proceed to another stage, which involves filing a lawsuit in South Korea based on the local regulations.
Who’s Representing Bang Chan?
Bang Chan has brought in Jeong Kyung Seok, a famous attorney with a track record of handling major K-pop cases, to help him out. He’s the one who sued Sojang, a YouTube channel accused of creating false rumors about idols. It’s obvious that Bang Chan recruited a seasoned fighter for this battle.
What Are Fans Saying?
His supporters remain loyal to him. The reaction from the Stray Kids fandom was very rapid and strong; they expressed their support, asked for better protection, and shared the news. A lot of fans think that social media platforms have a responsibility to take more stringent measures to put an end to this kind of harassment.
