An Alleged Deepfake of UK Opposition Leader Keir Starmer Shows the Dangers of Fake Audio

As members of the UK's largest opposition party gathered in Liverpool for their party conference--probably their last before the UK holds a general election--a potentially explosive audio file started circulating on X, formerly known as Twitter. The 25-second recording was posted by an X account with the handle "@Leo_Hutz" that was set up in January 2023. In the clip, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, is apparently heard swearing repeatedly at a staffer. "I have obtained audio of Keir Starmer verbally abusing his staffers at [the Labour Party] conference," the X account posted. "This disgusting bully is about to become our next PM."