Deepfakes: Creator of fake video of MLA Cara Hunter has not been found

Hunter added that deepfakes were “extremely convincing” and she still did not know who targeted her.

She appealed to anyone with information to come forward and also appealed to the Department of Justice (DoJ) to invest more in tackling cybercrime.

“I’ve looked at the models of other countries, especially across Europe, and how they approach victims of deepfake technology and they’re far further ahead,” she said.

“In Germany, they have AI [artificial intelligence] centres, which look at AI innovation but also supporting people who have been deepfaked and enabling them to have guidance and support.

“We don’t have anything like that here.”

She previously told the Belfast Telegraph that the experience had been “the most horrific and stressful time of my entire life” and that it still affected her mental health three years on.

Later in January, Hunter will feature in a Channel 4 documentary about the issue with TV presenter Vicky Pattison.

I’m A Celebrity winner and former MTV Geordie Shore star Ms Pattison “directed and produced” a deepfake video featuring herself as part of the documentary.

The DoJ has been contacted for a response.