Latest news with #DavidDo
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Toronto-area pharmacist David Do was a key person behind MrDeepFakes.com, according to an investigation by CBC's Visual Investigation Unit, in collaboration with Bellingcat and the Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet.
Politicians from a second European country are calling for the extradition of the Canadian man behind a notorious, pornographic website which featured deepfake images and videos of celebrities, politicians and private citizens. Members of three Dutch political parties — the VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA and BoerBurgerBewegin (BBB) — are planning to submit a written request to have David Do extradited for his involvement in the MrDeepFakes website, Dutch newspaper AD first reported. "People like this need to be punished … they have no idea what harm they are doing," Caroline van der Plas, leader of the BBB, told CBC News. In May, CBC's Visual Investigation Unit — in collaboration with the open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and the Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — revealed that Do, a pharmacist who then worked for the Oak Valley Health network in the Toronto area, was a key person behind The website was shut down on May 4 after CBC News and its media partners told Do that it would be naming him and revealing his role in the enterprise. Van der Plas was among the dozens of Dutch celebrities and politicians of which non-consensual deepfake images and videos were posted on MrDeepfakes. "For me it feels like you're digitally raped," said Van der Plas. "A lot of people would know it's deepfake but a lot of people are also ignorant… And maybe they think it is real. It's horrible." In the Netherlands, it is illegal to create, possess or distribute deepfake porn. "[Our justice minister] promised me that he was going to take action to see if Mr. Do can be extradited," she said. In May, Danish MP Søren Søndergaard asked his country's justice minister for Do's extradition. The MrDeepFakes site also had victims from Denmark. Canada has extradition treaties with both countries, which state it can agree to extradite someone if their alleged act is a crime both here and in the requesting country. Deepfake porn is not specifically outlawed in Canada as of yet, but it's possible Do could be extradited on the basis that he may have violated existing harassment or defamation laws. Do has not been charged with a crime in Canada. He has not responded to calls for comment. WATCH | CBC investigates MrDeepFakes: Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged during the spring's election campaign that he would work to have the production of non-consensual pornographic deepfakes criminalized. The Department of Justice would not say whether it has had conversations with either the Netherlands or Denmark on an extradition. "Extradition requests are confidential state-to-state communications," it said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office told CBC News in May that passing a law criminalizing non-consensual deepfakes is a priority. "Our government will protect the victims of sexual violence," the spokesperson said. "It will also increase penalties for the distribution of intimate images without consent and sexual assault on summary conviction." At its peak, MrDeepFakes, had more than 650,000 registered users, and featured videos of Canadians such as Michael Bublé, Justin Trudeau and Avril Lavigne. The content had drawn more than two billion views since its inception in 2018. Do was fired from his job at Oak Valley Health as an in-patient pharmacist at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital in mid-May. The Ontario College of Pharmacists says it is investigating Do's alleged conduct, but would not provide additional details due to confidentiality.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dutch politicians join calls to extradite Canadian behind notorious AI porn site
Politicians from a second European country are calling for the extradition of the Canadian man behind a notorious, pornographic website which featured deepfake images and videos of celebrities, politicians and private citizens. Members of three Dutch political parties — the VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA and BoerBurgerBewegin (BBB) — are planning to submit a written request to have David Do extradited for his involvement in the MrDeepFakes website, Dutch newspaper AD first reported. "People like this need to be punished … they have no idea what harm they are doing," Caroline van der Plas, leader of the BBB, told CBC News. In May, CBC's Visual Investigation Unit — in collaboration with the open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and the Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — revealed that Do, a pharmacist who then worked for the Oak Valley Health network in the Toronto area, was a key person behind The website was shut down on May 4 after CBC News and its media partners told Do that it would be naming him and revealing his role in the enterprise. Van der Plas was among the dozens of Dutch celebrities and politicians of which non-consensual deepfake images and videos were posted on MrDeepfakes. "For me it feels like you're digitally raped," said Van der Plas. "A lot of people would know it's deepfake but a lot of people are also ignorant… And maybe they think it is real. It's horrible." In the Netherlands, it is illegal to create, possess or distribute deepfake porn. "[Our justice minister] promised me that he was going to take action to see if Mr. Do can be extradited," she said. In May, Danish MP Søren Søndergaard asked his country's justice minister for Do's extradition. The MrDeepFakes site also had victims from Denmark. Canada has extradition treaties with both countries, which state it can agree to extradite someone if their alleged act is a crime both here and in the requesting country. Deepfake porn is not specifically outlawed in Canada as of yet, but it's possible Do could be extradited on the basis that he may have violated existing harassment or defamation laws. Do has not been charged with a crime in Canada. He has not responded to calls for comment. WATCH | CBC investigates MrDeepFakes: Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged during the spring's election campaign that he would work to have the production of non-consensual pornographic deepfakes criminalized. The Department of Justice would not say whether it has had conversations with either the Netherlands or Denmark on an extradition. "Extradition requests are confidential state-to-state communications," it said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office told CBC News in May that passing a law criminalizing non-consensual deepfakes is a priority. "Our government will protect the victims of sexual violence," the spokesperson said. "It will also increase penalties for the distribution of intimate images without consent and sexual assault on summary conviction." At its peak, MrDeepFakes, had more than 650,000 registered users, and featured videos of Canadians such as Michael Bublé, Justin Trudeau and Avril Lavigne. The content had drawn more than two billion views since its inception in 2018. Do was fired from his job at Oak Valley Health as an in-patient pharmacist at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital in mid-May. The Ontario College of Pharmacists says it is investigating Do's alleged conduct, but would not provide additional details due to confidentiality.
CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Dutch politicians join calls to extradite Canadian behind notorious AI porn site
Social Sharing Politicians from a second European country are calling for the extradition of the Canadian man behind a notorious, pornographic website which featured deepfake images and videos of celebrities, politicians and private citizens. Members of three Dutch political parties — the VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA and BoerBurgerBewegin (BBB) — are planning to submit a written request to have David Do extradited for his involvement in the MrDeepFakes website, Dutch newspaper AD first reported. "People like this need to be punished … they have no idea what harm they are doing," Caroline van der Plas, leader of the BBB, told CBC News. In May, CBC's Visual Investigation Unit — in collaboration with the open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and the Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — revealed that Do, a pharmacist who then worked for the Oak Valley Health network in the Toronto area, was a key person behind The website was shut down on May 4 after CBC News and its media partners told Do that it would be naming him and revealing his role in the enterprise. Van der Plas was among the dozens of Dutch celebrities and politicians of which non-consensual deepfake images and videos were posted on MrDeepfakes. "For me it feels like you're digitally raped," said Van der Plas. "A lot of people would know it's deepfake but a lot of people are also ignorant… And maybe they think it is real. It's horrible." In the Netherlands, it is illegal to create, possess or distribute deepfake porn. "[Our justice minister] promised me that he was going to take action to see if Mr. Do can be extradited," she said. In May, Danish MP Søren Søndergaard asked his country's justice minister for Do's extradition. The MrDeepFakes site also had victims from Denmark. Canada has extradition treaties with both countries, which state it can agree to extradite someone if their alleged act is a crime both here and in the requesting country. Deepfake porn is not specifically outlawed in Canada as of yet, but it's possible Do could be extradited on the basis that he may have violated existing harassment or defamation laws. Do has not been charged with a crime in Canada. He has not responded to calls for comment. WATCH | CBC investigates MrDeepFakes: The notorious AI porn kingpin with a double life 3 months ago MrDeepFakes was the world's most notorious website for non-consensual deepfake porn until CBC's visual investigations team — along with partners Bellingcat, Tjekdet and Politiken — exposed the Canadian pharmacist who played a key role in the site. Support is available for anyone who has experienced sexual violence. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website ( or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database ( If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged during the spring's election campaign that he would work to have the production of non-consensual pornographic deepfakes criminalized. The Department of Justice would not say whether it has had conversations with either the Netherlands or Denmark on an extradition. "Extradition requests are confidential state-to-state communications," it said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office told CBC News in May that passing a law criminalizing non-consensual deepfakes is a priority. "Our government will protect the victims of sexual violence," the spokesperson said. "It will also increase penalties for the distribution of intimate images without consent and sexual assault on summary conviction." At its peak, MrDeepFakes, had more than 650,000 registered users, and featured videos of Canadians such as Michael Bublé, Justin Trudeau and Avril Lavigne. The content had drawn more than two billion views since its inception in 2018. Do was fired from his job at Oak Valley Health as an in-patient pharmacist at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital in mid-May.
New York Post
12-07-2025
- New York Post
HATE CAB: NYC taxi driver caught on video spewing antisemitic slurs
A NYC taxi driver was caught on camera hurling vile antisemitic slurs at a Jewish passenger in lower Manhattan — and now the city is moving to permanently strip him of his license, The Post has learned. 'You guys look for trouble, yes, you are a f–king Jew!' the enraged driver shouts in the disturbing video, which was posted Tuesday by the Anti-Jew Hate Organization on their Jew Hate Database Instagram account. The clip, which has racked up more than 5,500 likes, shows the driver exploding at the customer in what the post claims was a targeted outburst in Tribeca after the cabbie ignored directions and hiked up the fare. Advertisement Video of the irate cabbie has been viewed more than 5,500 times. @, jewhatedb / Instagram 'You realize you just lost your license, right?' the passenger calmly replies. The driver, still fuming, shoots back: 'No, you are going to lose your own license.' Advertisement 'This wasn't about a wrong turn — it was targeted Jew hatred,' the account wrote in the caption, urging viewers to report the driver. 'Jewish New Yorkers deserve safety and dignity on every ride.' City officials said they've already taken action. 'Hate has no place on our roads and is totally unacceptable,' Taxi & Limousine Commission Commissioner David Do told The Post. 'As soon as we learned about this disturbing incident, we worked to identify the driver. Our Prosecution Unit will be seeking to permanently revoke his TLC license.' The TLC said it immediately reached out to the original poster of the video and worked with them on the investigation. They said they take reports of driver misconduct seriously, and all instances should be reported to 311 or 911 immediately. Advertisement The victim has not been identified. @, jewhatedb / Instagram A 311 complaint is required to open an investigation, they added. The Jewish victim has not been identified. The Jew Hate Database account did not respond to a request for comment. The outburst was widely condemned in the comments, with one rabbi commenting, 'He's about to be famous in a very bad way,' and another user demanding, 'Take his license.' Advertisement The NYC Taxi Instagram account also commented on the post, saying, 'Thank you for bringing our attention to this. Please check your DMs. We sent a message to get more information so we can investigate.' This is just the latest ugly incident in a string of antisemitic assaults in the Big Apple. In April, a Brooklyn woman was arrested for allegedly scrawling a swastika and the word 'Nazi' on a brick and leaving it on the bumper of a Tesla Cybertruck parked outside a yeshiva in Kensington. That same month, NYPD data revealed that more than half of all hate crimes recorded citywide in March were antisemitic — with 31 of the 57 confirmed incidents targeting Jews.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Danish MP calls for extradition of Canadian behind notorious AI porn site
A Danish MP is calling for the extradition of the Canadian pharmacist behind a notorious porn site that hosted deepfake images of celebrities, politicians, social media influencers and others, including prominent Canadian and Danish women. Last week, Danish MP Søren Søndergaard submitted a letter to the country's justice minister asking whether Danish authorities would demand that Canada extradite David Do so he can face prosecution in Denmark and to explain their reasoning if not. Deepfakes use artificial intelligence tools to insert a person's face into another photo or video. There are free tools to do this, including "nudify" apps for explicit deepfakes, but high-quality ones require thousands of images of a victim in addition to expensive computer hardware and technical know-how. Sharing non-consensual deepfake pornography can be punished by up to six months in prison under Denmark's defamation laws, which ban the misuse of a person's image in a way that manipulates their appearance or improperly impersonates them. "To use persons and put them into pornographic situations is not allowed, and we have some victims in Denmark," Søndergaard told CBC. "Therefore, I asked the minister, will they do something? Will they try to to get the responsible [person] prosecuted for for that act?" A bill to amend the law was introduced in March. If passed, it would ban not just the sharing but also the production of deepfake pornography and make it clear that sharing deepfakes without consent may constitute the kind of misuse of identity prohibited by the law. In Canada, it is currently not illegal to create or share AI-generated porn, although Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged during the election campaign that he would work to have both criminalized. In a statement to CBC, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said that passing a law criminalizing non-consensual deepfakes is a priority. "As committed to in the 2025 election platform, our government will protect the victims of sexual violence and will make the production and distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence," the spokesperson said. "It will also increase penalties for the distribution of intimate images without consent and sexual assault on summary conviction." Earlier this month, CBC's Visual Investigation Unit — in collaboration with open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — revealed that Do, a pharmacist who worked for the Oak Valley Health network in the Greater Toronto Area, was a key person behind the one of the most notorious sites for non-consensual deepfake porn. MrDeepFakes hosted almost 70,000 non-consensual and sometimes violent deepfake videos and images. Canadian YouTuber Sarah Z., who CBC found images and videos of on MrDeepFakes, said seeing the images causes "reputational and psychological damage." The site also hosted deepfakes of several Danish public personalities, including Queen Mary, the wife of the country's monarch, King Frederik X. At its peak, the website was getting millions of views a month and had over 650,000 users. The website was shut down on May 4 after CBC and its media partners told Do that it would be naming him and revealing his role in the enterprise. Deepfake porn content has exploded in recent years. According to a report by cybersecurity firm Security Hero, there has been a 550 per cent increase in the number of deepfakes between 2019 and 2023.. "Many people are afraid to put a picture of their children playing with some other children on the internet… because it can be misused for [deepfake porn]," said Søndergaard. "I think it's very important to say we don't want such a society." Canada has an extradition treaty with Denmark, which states that it can agree to extradite someone if their alleged act is a crime in both countries. Even if deepfakes per se are not outlawed as yet, it's possible Do could be extradited on the basis that he is alleged to have violated existing harassment or defamation laws. "We are talking about an action which is not only taking place in Canada but all over the world. including in Denmark where we have a law saying this is not allowed," said Søndergaard. "So there will be a discussion whether or not Denmark will have the right to get this person extradited." The Danish justice minister has 30 days to answer Søndergaard's question. Do was employed by Oak Valley Health as an in-patient pharmacist at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital until May 15. "David [Do] is no longer an employee following an investigation which followed allegations in the media," Rebecca MacKenzie, a spokesperson for Oak Valley Health, told CBC. Do is still registered in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists, according to its website. The College previously told CBC that the allegations were "extremely serious" and that it was investigating the matter. A CBC News reporter had approached Do in an attempt to interview him about his role in the website. Do told the reporter he didn't want to be recorded and that he was busy, before driving away in his vehicle.
