In a jaw-dropping moment that left Parliament silent, New Zealand MP Laura McClure held up a censored deepfake nude image of herself – and no, this wasn’t some bizarre protest or stunt. It was a bold warning.
The MP took the floor with the image, explaining that it took her less than five minutes to generate the fake nude using online AI tools. Let that sink in – five minutes to create a totally fake, totally convincing explicit photo of someone without their consent.
She wasn’t doing it for laughs or shock value either. Laura made the image herself to demonstrate just how easy and terrifying deepfake technology has become – and how dangerous it could be in the wrong hands.
“This is what we’re up against,” she told fellow MPs. “If I, a sitting member of Parliament, can fall victim to this with the click of a button – imagine what this means for young people, for women, for anyone vulnerable online.”
Laura’s speech came as the government debates tighter laws around AI and deepfake content. She’s calling for urgent regulation before things spiral out of control, warning that without action, deepfakes could become a weapon for harassment, revenge porn, and political manipulation.
Social media blew up following the speech, with many praising her for her guts and honesty. Others were simply shocked by how real the image looked – and how fast it was made.
One thing’s for sure: Laura McClure didn’t just make headlines – she made a point that can’t be ignored.
