A deepfake is synthetic media where a person’s face or voice is replaced with that of another person. Various techniques are used to create these deepfakes, including but not limited to machine learning, AI, and computer graphics.
To create a deepfake, the learning model is trained using videos or audio clips of the source individual. Using this information, the model creates a new video or audio clip with the face or voice of the targeted individual.
What are your thoughts about the sudden rise of celebrities being targeted with deepfakes?
The recent surge in deepfakes targeting celebrities is concerning, as it has the potential to cause significant harm to both the individuals involved and society as a whole.
For celebrities, deepfakes can be used to damage their reputations, spread misinformation about them, and even extort them financially. In some cases, deepfakes have been used to create non-consensual pornography, which can be deeply distressing for the victims.
Beyond the harm it causes to individuals, deepfakes can also erode trust in institutions and make it difficult to discern truth from fiction. This can have serious effects on our abilities to make informed decisions and our democracy on the whole.
It is important to bear in mind that deepfakes are not new. They have existed for decades, but have recently gained more popularity since they became easily accessible to the general public. The current development of new AI and machine learning tools and techniques and the increase in the availability of powerful computing resources have led to this surge in the generation of deepfakes.
How can one tell it is not real but a deepfake?
The process of creating a deepfake has become increasingly sophisticated. However, several signs can still help you identify a deepfake.
- Inconsistent Facial Expressions or Lip Movements
- Blurry or Glitchy Images or Audio
- Unnatural Blinking or Eye Movements
- Inconsistent Lighting or Background
- Unrealistic Facial Expressions or Speech Patterns
- Multiple Sources
Additionally, the use of deepfake detection tools can help further discern whether you’re looking at real or deepfake content.
What are the dangers of deepfakes?
Well-generated deepfakes are used in many instances like entertainment, satire, and even social commentary. However, deepfakes can also be used for malicious purposes such as spreading misinformation or creating fake news.
Here are some of the dangers of deepfakes:
- Erosion of trust: Deepfakes can be used to create fake news or propaganda, which can erode trust in institutions and make it difficult to discern truth from fiction. This can have serious consequences for our democracy and our ability to make informed decisions.
- Damage to reputations: Deepfakes can be used to purposefully damage the reputations of individuals and organizations. For example, a deepfake of a CEO saying something damaging could cause the company’s stock price to plummet.
- Financial harm: Deepfakes can be used to commit financial fraud, such as by creating deepfakes of people authorizing financial transactions.
- Non-consensual pornography: Deepfakes can be used to create non-consensual pornography, which can be deeply distressing for the victims.
- Manipulation of elections: Deepfakes could be used to manipulate elections by creating fake videos or audio recordings of candidates making false or damaging statements.
Here are some examples of how deepfakes have been used:
- In 2018, a deepfake video of Barack Obama was created in which he appeared to be saying things that he had never actually said.
- In 2019, a deepfake video of Nancy Pelosi was created in which she appeared to be slurring her words and making incoherent statements.
- In 2020, a deepfake video of Tom Cruise was created in which he appeared to be performing various stunts.
It is important to be aware of the potential dangers of deepfakes and to develop effective countermeasures. Here are some things that can be done:
- Raise awareness: We need to raise awareness about deepfakes and the potential dangers of this technology.
- Develop detection tools: We need to develop tools that can be used to detect deepfakes.
- Develop legal frameworks: We need to develop legal frameworks that can be used to hold people accountable for creating and distributing deepfakes.
- Have a conversation about the ethical implications: We need to have a conversation about the ethical implications of deepfakes.
How can one protect themselves from being targeted?
As deepfake technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial to be aware of potential risks and take steps to protect yourself from being targeted. Here are some strategies to minimize the chances of becoming a victim of deepfakes:
- Be mindful of your online presence: Limit the personal information you share on social media platforms and other online spaces. Avoid posting sensitive or identifying details that could be used to create a deepfake.
- Protect your digital accounts: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information.
- Be cautious of suspicious links and downloads: Don’t click on random links or download files from unknown or untrustworthy sources. These could lead to malware infections or phishing attempts that could compromise your data.
- Be critical of online content: Before accepting something as genuine, especially videos or audio recordings, verify its authenticity from reputable sources. Cross-check information from multiple platforms and avoid relying solely on social media or user-generated content.
- Educate yourself about deepfake technology: Learn how deepfakes are created and the telltale signs to identify them. Familiarize yourself with tools and resources that can help detect potential deepfakes.
- Protect your voice: Be mindful of who has access to your voice recordings, especially when making business or personal calls. Avoid sharing sensitive or private conversations that could be used to create a deepfake.
- Be aware of impersonation scams: Be on guard for impersonation attempts, where someone might use a deepfake to impersonate you or someone you know. Report any suspicious activity to relevant authorities.
- Stay informed about legal developments: Stay updated on legal frameworks and regulations surrounding deepfakes. Understand the rights you have if you are a victim of a deepfake and how to seek legal recourse.
- Support organizations combating deepfakes: Support organizations and initiatives that are working to raise awareness, develop detection tools, and advocate for responsible use of deepfake technology.
- Engage in responsible online behaviour: Practice responsible digital citizenship by being respectful, considerate, and mindful of the impact of your online actions. Avoid spreading misinformation or engaging in activities that could contribute to the spread of deepfakes.
Conversations to have with family and create awareness
Tips for having conversations about deepfakes with family and friends:
- Choose a time and place where you can have a relaxed and uninterrupted conversation.
- Start by explaining what deepfakes are and how they are created.
- Discuss the potential dangers of deepfakes, such as the spread of misinformation and the damage to reputations.
- Share tips on how to protect themselves from deepfakes, such as being critical of online content and using deepfake detection tools.
- Encourage them to come to you if they have any questions or concerns about deepfakes.
It is important to have these conversations with family and friends to create awareness about deepfakes and to help people protect themselves from this emerging technology.
Scams associated with deepfakes and how to be safe
Scams Associated with Deepfakes
Deepfakes are a type of synthetic media that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to replace a person’s face or voice in an existing video or audio recording. While deepfakes can be used for entertainment and satire, they can also be used for malicious purposes, such as spreading misinformation and creating fake news.
Some of the most common scams associated with deepfakes include:
- Social engineering scams: Deepfakes can be used to impersonate people to trick them into revealing personal information or performing actions that they would not normally do. For example, a deepfake of a CEO could be used to call an employee and ask them to transfer money to a fraudulent account.
- Financial scams: Deepfakes can be used to create fake videos or audio recordings that appear to show someone authorizing financial transactions. For example, a deepfake of a person could be used to create a fake video of them authorizing a wire transfer.
- Extortion: Deepfakes can be used to extort people by threatening to release embarrassing or damaging information about them. For example, a deepfake of a person could be used to create a fake video of them doing something embarrassing and then used to blackmail them.
