Mexico: AI and deepfakes target journalists

Reporters Without Borders documented at least 100 journalists targeted by deepfakes in 27 countries, including Mexico, between December 2023 and December 2025, according to an Expansión report on how artificial intelligence is making digital attacks against journalists more sophisticated.

What do the reports show about AI-driven attacks?

The reports show that artificial intelligence is already involved in attacks against journalists, as well as in leaks and other digital intrusions, with Mexico included in that regional picture. RSF identified victims in 27 countries, and El Economista reported that AI is involved in one of every four malicious leaks worldwide and in 19% of attacks in Latin America.

The RSF review covers victims in 27 countries and marks a different kind of pressure on journalism, with synthetic content used to intensify attacks on identities and reputations. In Mexico's case, the report places the country in that affected group, although the available material does not detail specific cases in the cited article.

How does Mexico appear in the regional reading?

Mexico appears as a country affected by deepfakes targeting journalists and, at the same time, as a market where companies still automate only part of their defense. El Economista also said that AI is already involved in attacks across the region and in protective tasks.

In parallel, El Economista reported that artificial intelligence plays a role in one in four malicious leaks worldwide and in 19% of attacks in Latin America. The publication also said companies in Mexico still automate their defense only partially, a sign of defensive adoption that is moving forward, but not fully.

Taken together, the two reports point to two open fronts in the region. On one side is the use of AI for identity fraud, phishing and assisted intrusions. On the other is its use in defense, speeding detection and response in Latin American SOCs, in a transition already on the corporate agenda in Mexico.

What reading does the Brazil case leave?

Brazil is mentioned in the angle provided, but the supplied sources do not verify any additional fact that would allow for a fuller treatment beyond that reference. The available material supports a regional pattern, with Mexico included at both ends of the equation, as a target of AI-assisted attacks and as a market where defensive automation is still partial.

The available material supports a regional pattern, with Mexico included at both ends of the equation, as a target of AI-assisted attacks and as a market where defensive automation is still partial. Brazil is mentioned in the angle provided, but the supplied sources do not verify any additional fact that would allow for a fuller treatment beyond that reference.