An Indigenous figure has captured the attention of hundreds of thousands on social media through a series of captivating videos about Australian wildlife.
However, there’s a significant twist—this persona is entirely fictional.
Initially known as the ‘Bush Legend’ and now operating under the name Keagan Mason on Meta’s platforms, the account is embroiled in controversy. It’s been accused of ‘digital blackface’ after revelations that the content is produced using artificial intelligence.
The videos feature an AI-generated avatar set against a digitally crafted backdrop resembling the Australian Outback. This avatar is depicted with markings and decorations that resemble those from Aboriginal cultures.
Reports suggest the real creator of this digital profile is a foreign resident based in New Zealand.
Some videos posted on Facebook and Instagram display the AI-avatar with cultural markings, allegedly applied without permission from Aboriginal communities.
The account has gained more than 200,000 followers, with most videos resembling a Steve Irwin-like explainer on native animals.
People on social media have now unleashed on the account’s creator for masquerading as an Indigenous wildlife expert, with one labelling it ‘digital blackface’.
The account known as the ‘Bush Legend’ has now been accused of ‘digital blackface’ after it came to light that the videos had actually been generated by artificial intelligence.
Videos were uploaded across several platforms showing the digitally generated character wearing markings similar to traditional practices in Aboriginal communities
‘It’s all fake and until I’m proved otherwise it’s exploiting Aboriginal culture,’ another user said.
The account uploaded a video on January 10 telling followers that the platform was not for profit but to spread knowledge.
‘I’m not here to represent any culture or group and this channel is simply about animal stories,’ the figure said while the song ‘Didgeridoo Outback’ played underneath.
The AI-generated man told viewers he is ‘not asking anyone for money’ and that the videos are ‘free to watch, with no obligations’, despite earlier videos promoting paid subscriptions.
A description in the account’s Instagram biography reads: ‘This page uses AI-generated visuals to share wildlife stories for education and awareness.
‘The focus is on animals and nature only.’
But Aussies were still left unimpressed including Torres Strait Islander musician Kee’ahn.
‘If it’s just animal stories – don’t use the likeness of Aboriginal people? Don’t use Yidaki/Didgeridoo music?’ they said.
The page is believed to be run by a foreign national based in New Zealand. A profile picture was uploaded to Facebook when the account changed its name to Keagan Mason, with the character standing beside a white man wearing a cap with the New Zealand flag
‘It’s obvious the kind of cultural image you’re trying to push and it’s unethical because it’s not real.’
‘This is so insulting to Indigenous people! Use your own face instead of appropriating other peoples’ and culture,’ another user said.
A third wrote: ‘You are appropriating indigenous culture. It is completely disrespectful.’
The Daily Mail has attempted to contact the account owner for their response to the criticism.
Stephen Gray, a senior lecturer at Monash University’s Faculty of Law, told the Daily Telegraph that claims the account was educational did not remove it from scrutiny.
‘I think the excuse that it’s educational or promoting Indigenous cultures is pretty poor if it’s not produced [by Indigenous people],’ he said.
‘It’s fairly clearly not consistent with Indigenous law and culture.
‘It’s got a kind of historical, you could call it a post-traumatic syndrome for Indigenous people. It’s consistent with a fairly long line, for many decades, of various kinds of appropriation.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Meta for comment.
