AI-Powered 'Deepfake Malta' Could Replace Your Employee ID by 2028, Experts Warn
VALLETTA, MALTA — A controversial new government pilot program uses generative AI to create a "Deepfake Malta" digital identity for every citizen, replacing traditional passports and work IDs with hyper-realistic, AI-generated avatars.
The system, expected to roll out fully by 2027, learns a person’s speech patterns, facial micro-expressions, and biometric data to produce a live "digital twin" that can verify identity during job interviews, border crossings, and even remote contract signings.
Critics warn it’s the most invasive privacy experiment in Europe, as the avatar can be cloned with just a selfie. "Your boss in Malta might soon hire your deepfake instead of you," said tech ethicist Dr. Lena Farrugia. "The line between a digital copy and a real person is about to vanish."