LAGOS, NIGERIA — Technology company itel has threatened legal action over a viral AI-generated image falsely depicting one of its Power Tank products exploding, describing the image as malicious, defamatory, and capable of damaging its reputation and business.
The company made its position known on Wednesday in a statement issued by its legal department and shared across its official social media handles. It said the image, which has been circulating on various social media platforms, was created using artificial intelligence and does not represent any real incident involving its products.
“The attention of itel has been drawn to a malicious and false image circulating on social media, purportedly showing one of our Power Tank products exploding. We wish to state categorically that this image is fake, AI-generated, and has no basis in reality. No itel product has exploded or malfunctioned in the manner depicted in the image,” the statement read.
The company said it had commenced investigations to identify the originators of the image and would take legal action against anyone found to be responsible for its creation and dissemination. It warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to damage its brand or to mislead the public about the safety of its products.
“We have instructed our legal team to take all necessary steps to identify those behind this malicious act and to prosecute them to the full extent of the law. We will not allow anyone to undermine the trust that our customers have placed in our brand,” the statement added.
itel emphasised that its products are manufactured to the highest international safety standards and undergo rigorous testing before they are released to the market. It said the safety of its customers was its top priority and that it would never compromise on quality.
“itel products are designed, manufactured, and tested to meet international safety standards. We take the safety of our customers very seriously. Any suggestion that our products are unsafe is false and misleading,” the company stated.
The company urged the public to disregard the fake image and to rely only on information from its official channels. It also encouraged customers who have concerns about their products to contact its customer service team for assistance.
“We urge the public to disregard this fake image and to verify any information about our products through our official social media pages and website. Our customer service team is always available to address any concerns,” the statement said.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation and its potential to harm businesses and individuals. In recent months, there has been a surge in AI-generated content, including deepfake videos and fake images, which have been used to spread false information, damage reputations, and manipulate public opinion.
Legal experts say companies affected by such content have limited legal recourse under Nigerian law, which has not yet caught up with the rapid advancement of AI technology. However, they can rely on defamation laws and, in some cases, intellectual property laws to seek redress.
“AI-generated defamation is a new frontier in legal practice. Companies need to be proactive in monitoring their brands online and in taking swift action when false content is detected. The law is still evolving, but there are remedies available,” said Barr. Chinedu Okafor, a media and technology lawyer.
itel’s threat of legal action is a warning to those who create and spread fake content about brands. As the use of AI continues to grow, companies will need to be more vigilant than ever in protecting their reputations and maintaining the trust of their customers. For now, itel has made its position clear: it will not allow its brand to be damaged by falsehoods, and it will use all legal means available to protect itself.
