Video Viral: NZ Lawmaker Shows Her Own AI-Generated Nude in Parliament—What Happened Next Left Everyone Speechless
Wellington, NZ – A Shocking Wake-Up Call Echoes in Parliament
It started like any other routine debate on a chilly Wednesday morning in Wellington—but within minutes, the atmosphere in the New Zealand Parliament shifted from mundane to stunned silence.
Laura MacLachlan, a Member of Parliament from ACT Party, took to the floor with something no one saw coming. Holding up a printed image, she said plainly, “This is a nude photo of me—but it’s not real.”
Yes, you read that right. The image was fake. AI-generated. Deepfake. And as it appears, she created it herself—within five minutes—on her laptop at home.
“I was disgusted even showing it,” she told fellow MPs, visibly shaken. “Even knowing it wasn’t truly me, I still felt violated just standing there.”
This wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a gut-punch of a statement—raw, brave, and deeply personal.
🇳🇿 MP HOLDS UP AI-NUDE OF HERSELF IN PARLIAMENT TO FIGHT DEEPFAKES
New Zealand politician Laura McClure held up an AI-generated nude of herself in Parliament to push a law against fake explicit images.
She made it at home to show how easy it is to create deepfakes that can ruin…pic.twitter.com/G74KLOoh7o
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal)June 2, 2025
Why She Did It: The Rising Menace of Deepfakes
Deepfake technology, once the stuff of sci-fi thrillers, has become alarmingly real—and accessible. Celebrities, influencers, and now regular people are being targeted by manipulated media that looks scarily authentic.
For MacLachlan, the issue struck a nerve. And rather than just talk about it, she decided to show it.
“I wanted the House tofeelwhat it’s like,” she later shared in a video posted on Instagram. “To understand how easily someone can be humiliated, especially young Kiwis—our daughters, sisters, friends.”
Her post quickly went viral, sparking a digital firestorm and pushing the deepfake debate into everyday conversations.
The Emotional Toll – And a Call to Action
Let’s be real—this tech isn’t just creepy. It’s dangerous.
MacLachlan stressed how these fabricated images don’t just ruin reputations—they crush mental health. Victims often spiral into anxiety, depression, even PTSD, from the violation.
“You may know it’s not you… but the world watching? They might not,” she said somberly.
That’s why she’s not just talking. She’s doing.
What’s in the Bill? A Digital Armor Against AI Exploitation
Laura is now pushing theDeepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill, a proposed law aiming to finally plug the legislative loophole surrounding this tech.
Here’s what it sets out to do:
Banthe creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes without consent
Expandcurrent revenge porn and intimate recording laws
Hold offenders criminally accountablefor deepfake abuse
Provide victimswith a clear legal pathway to remove harmful content
“This is about drawing a clear line in the sand,” she said. “Consent matters—digital or otherwise.”
Not Just NZ – A Global Epidemic
New Zealand isn’t alone in this fight. In the UK, authorities have already begun cracking down on such offenses. According to theRevenge Porn Helpline, deepfake-related image abuse has soared by400%since 2017.
Governments around the world are scrambling to catch up as AI outpaces regulation. Many are watching New Zealand’s bold approach closely, perhaps as a template for their own reforms.
“The longer we wait, the more damage gets done,” MacLachlan warned. “AI won’t slow down. Neither can we.”
Final Thought: “This Is Just the Beginning”
There’s a reason Laura’s act struck such a deep chord—it wasn’t just shocking. It was real. Human. And terrifyingly relatable.
In a digital age where seeing is no longer believing, her courageous moment on the Parliament floor may very well become a defining one. A line drawn not just in law—but in conscience.
Whether lawmakers act fast enough remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the age of deepfakes is no longer future tense. It’s now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What exactly is a deepfake?
A deepfake is a digitally altered image or video created using AI, often making it look like someone said or did something they never actually did.
Q2. Did Laura MacLachlan really show her nude photo in Parliament?
She showed a deepfake image of herself—AI-generated—to demonstrate how realistic and dangerous such content can be.
Q3. Is deepfake technology illegal in New Zealand?
Currently, laws don’t fully address AI-generated explicit content, which is why MacLachlan is proposing new legislation.
Q4. What’s the biggest concern with deepfakes?
The main worry is non-consensual use—especially in creating explicit images—which can harm reputations and mental health.
Q5. Are other countries taking action on deepfakes?
Yes. The UK, among others, is strengthening laws against deepfake abuse, particularly related to revenge porn and digital consent.
