Government Intensifies Fight Against Deepfakes at ITU CyberDrill
Written by Staff Reporter on July 6, 2026
The Government has stepped up efforts to counter the growing threat posed by deepfakes and synthetic media, leveraging the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Inter-Regional CyberDrill to strengthen regional cybersecurity cooperation and enhance digital resilience.
As Zimbabwe accelerates its digital transformation agenda, authorities say safeguarding citizens, institutions and critical information infrastructure from the misuse of emerging technologies has become a national priority.
Speaking at the official opening of the CyberDrill in Victoria Falls, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera warned that deepfakes represent one of the most significant and rapidly evolving threats in the digital age.
She said advances in artificial intelligence have made it increasingly possible to create highly convincing fabricated videos, audio recordings and images capable of deceiving the public, disrupting financial markets and undermining trust in democratic institutions.
“Deepfakes do not merely distort information; they steal reality itself,” Minister Mavetera said, cautioning that the technology has the potential to fuel political instability, spread disinformation and erode public confidence if left unchecked.
The CyberDrill has brought together cybersecurity experts, policymakers and technology stakeholders from across regions to test preparedness, strengthen incident response capabilities and develop coordinated strategies against emerging cyber threats.
Government officials say the exercise reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to building a secure and resilient digital ecosystem, ensuring that technological innovation is matched by robust safeguards against cybercrime and the malicious use of artificial intelligence.
By Witness A Phiri
Breeze FM