Belize Battles Rising Cybercrime with Advanced AI Amidst Misinformation Concerns

As the digital landscape within Belize expands, the country faces a rising tide of cybercrime, prompting authorities to leverage advanced AI technology to combat these threats. Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted both individuals and businesses, leading to financial losses and a growing sense of vulnerability among the populace. The increasing sophistication of the attacks has highlighted the need for more robust cybersecurity measures. Recently, fake videos being circulated on the internet that conveyed Minister of Health, Kevin Bernard, giving the public a message not sanctioned or produced by the government. The fraudulent message saw the criminal minds use AI technology to produce a video on misinformation.  The ongoing conversations about the balance between security and privacy as AI systems begin to be implemented is one of much concern as indicated by Osman Mortis, Superintendent of Information Technology for the Belize Police Department.

Asman Mortis, Superintendent for Information Technology: “Well, AI is the artificial intelligence whereby machines or computers with machines try to mimic human behavior. These occurrences are new to us here in Belize. Sometimes you see these videos coming out and they’re speaking, they’re showing movements and stuff like that. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is that person who is being portrayed in that video. So it is something that we have to look at closely under a microscope to see if it is legitimate and there are ways that we can check those videos to verify whether or not they’re fakes or if they are genuine. AI is pretty new. It won’t necessarily impact the justice system in any bad way. I mean, if a video comes out and it’s purporting to be a certain individual or to say certain things then it will be brought to our attention at the cybercrime unit and we will do what we can to verify it.”

As Belize continues to embrace digital transformation, the fight against cybercrime remains a top priority. The efforts in protecting the nation’s digital future continues to be sought out by the law enforcement personnel as the use of AI can impact the justice system.

Asman Mortis, Superintendent for Information Technology: “I don’t think the courts will take a lot of these things at face value. They would definitely want someone with a background who can decipher these videos and images to have an input of course. The Cybercrime Act has quite a few offenses under it and it also has the penalties under these that are associated with these offenses. For example the application or transmission of a private area on summary conviction you can be fined or confined to a fine of $5,000 or a term of imprisonment for five years and on indictment that fine can go up to $10,000 or to a term of imprisonment for ten years. But it is to the discretion of the Magistrate or the judge presiding over the matter.”

We will have more on this issue in tomorrow’s newscast./