Deepfakes, digitally altered videos that convincingly replace a person’s face or body with someone else’s, have become a cause for concern, as they are increasingly being used for malicious purposes. According to an investigation by NBC News, there have been 50 Deepfake videos found across social media platforms, targeting celebrities and influential figures with the intention of scamming unsuspecting internet users.

The primary target of these videos is former CEO Elon Musk, who is known for his involvement in cryptocurrency investments. Users are prompted to invest in a fake platform, taking advantage of Musk’s reputation in the industry. What makes deepfakes particularly troubling is that they can easily deceive users who may not recognize the videos as fraudulent.

Most of the deepfake videos were discovered on Facebook, a platform that has a significant user base above the age of 45. This demographic could be more vulnerable to scams due to the perception that older individuals may be less tech-savvy. Facebook claims to be tracking deepfakes and prohibits their circulation on the platform, but YouTube maintains that such content does not violate its terms and conditions.

In addition to financial scams, deepfakes pose a significant threat to the Privacy and dignity of individuals, especially women. Deepfake pornography involves placing an individual’s face onto the body of a porn actor without their consent. These videos are often shared online, causing immense harm and psychological distress.

Last year, over 13,000 deepfake porn uploads were reported on one site alone, nearly double the previous year’s figure. Victims, like Kate from the organization #NotYourPorn, explain that there is currently no legal recourse in place to protect women and children from deepfake porn. The impact on victims can be devastating, leading to feelings of hurt, fear, anxiety, and even suicide.

Israel has taken a stance on deepfakes, designating them as an invasion of privacy. The Privacy Protection Authority (PPA) states that the distribution of deepfake content without consent, particularly if it is humiliating or compromising, constitutes an invasion of privacy. The PPA also emphasizes that companies producing deepfake content must comply with data protection regulations.

While steps are being taken to address deepfake threats, there remains a need for stricter regulations and legal frameworks to protect individuals from the harmful consequences of this technology.

Sources:
– NBC News
– Oxford Language Dictionaries
– Statista

The post Deepfakes: A Growing Threat to Privacy and Security appeared first on TS2 SPACE.