Deepfake tech uses AI to produce fake images, videos, or audio replacing someone’s appearance or voice. It’s known for spreading hoaxes, fake news, identity theft, and celebrity pornography. Deepfakes make it hard to distinguish reality from forgery on the internet.
We’ll cover deepfake technology’s possibilities, security risks, creation techniques, benefits and drawbacks, notable examples, and detection methods.
Techniques used to create deepfakes
Deepfakes usually employ a deep-learning computer network called a variational auto-encoder, a type of artificial neural network that is normally used for facial recognition. Autoencoders can encode and compress input data, reducing it to a lower dimensional latent space, and then reconstruct it to deliver output data based on the latent representation. In the case of deepfakes, the autoencoders are used to detect facial features, suppressing visual noise and “non-face” elements in the process.
To make the results more realistic, deepfakes also use Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). GANs train a “generator” to create new images from the latent representation of the source image, and a “discriminator” to evaluate the realism of the generated materials. If the generator’s image does not pass the discriminator’s test, it is incited to develop new images until there is one that “fools” the discriminator.
Benefits of Deepfake Technology
Deepfake has several benefits that cannot be ignored. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of deepfake technology.
- Lower Cost: One of the most significant benefits of deepfake technology is its cost-effectiveness. It can significantly reduce the cost of video campaigns by replacing costly actors, sets, and equipment with virtual ones. This, in turn, can make it easier for small businesses and independent filmmakers to create high-quality content at a fraction of the cost
- Hyper-personalization: Deepfake technology can provide a hyper-personalized experience for customers. Brands can use this technology to create advertisements or promotional content that speaks directly to individual consumers. This can increase the chances of customer engagement and conversion
- Democratization of VFX Technology: Deepfake technology has the potential to democratize expensive VFX technology and become a powerful tool for independent storytellers at a fraction of the cost. Filmmakers can use deepfake technology to create realistic visual effects without the need for expensive equipment or software
- Replacement of Footage: Deepfake technology can be used to update film footage instead of reshooting it if actors trip over their lines. This can save time and resources while still ensuring high-quality output
- Voice Synthesis: Deepfake technology can also be used to create digital voices for people who have lost theirs. This technology can provide a new avenue for individuals who have lost the ability to speak to communicate with others
- Entertainment: Deepfakes can be an excellent tool for realistically realizing the primary tenants of comedy or parody. They can also be used to create amusing content that brings entertainment to people’s lives
Concerning Risks of Deepfake Technology
Deepfake technology has several risks and cybersecurity threats associated with it. Some of these risks include:
- Misinformation and propaganda: Deepfake technology can be used to spread fake news, propaganda, and hoaxes that can influence people’s opinions and beliefs.
- Undermining trust in political and civic institutions: Deepfakes can create distrust in political and civic institutions by spreading false information, damaging reputations and careers, and manipulating public opinion.
- Harassment and bullying of individuals: Deepfakes can be used to harass, bully, and intimidate individuals by creating fake videos or images of them.
- Facilitating financial fraud and scams: Deepfake technology can facilitate financial fraud and scams by making it easier to commit identity theft and execute phishing or business email compromise (BEC) attacks.
- Spreading false information during crisis situations: Deepfakes can be used to spread false information during crisis situations, causing panic and confusion.
- Facilitating cyberstalking and revenge pornography: Deepfakes can be used for cyberstalking and revenge pornography, where intimate images or videos are created and shared without consent.
- Creating fake evidence in legal cases: Deepfake technology can be used to create fake evidence in legal cases, leading to wrongful convictions or acquittals.
- Threatening national security: Deepfakes can threaten national security by disseminating propaganda and interfering in elections, hampering citizen trust toward information by authorities, and raising cybersecurity issues for people and organizations.
In addition to these risks, deepfake technology also poses several cybersecurity threats, including:
- Identity theft: Deepfakes can allow cybercriminals to engage in identity theft, run social engineering scams, and execute ransomware attacks
- Phishing and BEC attacks: Deepfake technology could improve the effectiveness of phishing or BEC attacks by making these attacks harder for individuals and businesses to detect.
- Stock market manipulation: Deepfakes can be used to manipulate company reputations for embarrassment, blackmail or stock market manipulation, and other scams by making it easier to commit identity fraud.
- Social engineering: Deepfakes can be used for social engineering, where attackers impersonate someone to gain access to sensitive information
- Ransomware attacks: Deepfakes can be used in ransomware attacks, where attackers encrypt a victim’s files and demand payment to decrypt them.
Famous Examples with Deepfake
Deepfake technology has been used in many fascinating examples, showcasing its creative and frightening potential.
Some of the best deepfake examples include Morgan Freeman discussing deepfakes, Jim Carrey playing the lead in The Shining, Tobey Maguire replacing Tom Holland in Spider-man: No Way Home, and Jerry Seinfeld appearing in Pulp Fiction.
However, the technology has also been used for malicious purposes, as seen in the case of Binance executive Patrick Hillmann, who claims that scammers created a deepfake of him to trick his contacts.
Other notable deepfake examples include Kobe Bryant in Kendrick Lamar’s music video, Tom Cruise’s TikTok impersonator, and appearances by Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton in various videos.
Detecting Deepfakes - Here’s How
As deepfakes continue to become more convincing, it is important to be able to detect them to prevent any harm they may cause. Fortunately, there are several ways to spot a deepfake from the original content. Here are some of the techniques that can be used:
- Check for unnatural eye movements or a lack of eye movement, most notably as no blinking.
- Look for mismatches in color and lighting.
- Compare and contrast audio quality.
- Observe strange body shape or movement.
- Check for artificial facial movements.
- Look for unnatural positioning of facial features.
- Check for awkward posture or physique.
It is also possible to compare the person in the deepfake to an original reference to detect any discrepancies. By utilizing these techniques, it is possible to detect deepfakes and prevent them from being spread or used for malicious purposes.
Protecting Yourself from being a Victim
Deepfake technology is a rapidly evolving area of concern, but there are ways to protect yourself from being a victim. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from deepfakes:
- Avoid subscribing to apps that require you to upload your facial likeness or any other personal information that can be used to create deepfakes
- Always read the terms and conditions of online applications before using them, as these may contain clauses that allow companies to use your personal data in ways you may not be aware of
- Avoid posting photos of yourself or your family on unprotected social media accounts, as these images can be used to create deepfakes
- Use caution when uploading photos of yourself to public sites, and make sure you have a high level of security on all your electronic devices
- Stay up-to-date with the latest news on deepfake technology and the potential risks associated with it. By taking these steps, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of this growing threat.
Deepfake technology has opened up a new world of possibilities for industries such as entertainment and politics. But it also poses great dangers to industries, individuals, and society. Understanding and preventing its risks is crucial. Detecting and preventing deepfakes can mitigate their negative impact. Collaboration between governments and tech companies is essential to ensure its safe use.
