Cheng’s alleged hotel video eludes deepfake verification

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The videos supposedly showing Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan entering a hotel with a woman have been assessed as "inconclusive" for deepfake tampering, a result announced by the Zhongzheng First Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department announced on Monday (Nov. 27).

The precinct completed the examination on Nov. 8 and presented its findings on Nov. 18, concluding that it was impossible to determine the potential of deepfake manipulation in the videos. The case is currently under investigation by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

In a series of photos and videos posted on social media on Oct. 24, Cheng was allegedly treated to parties in Macau and even checked into a hotel room with a young woman during his time as a Democratic Progressive Party official in Taoyuan in 2011.

In response to the accusations, Cheng issued a three-point statement and asserted that he was not the person depicted in the videos as the footage was old and edited.

The vice premier filed a defamation lawsuit with the Zhongzheng First Precinct on Oct. 26, demanding a forensic examination for deepfakes.