Have you come across fabricated images or videos of public figures on social media? If so, you’ve encountered deepfakes. This article covers what deepfakes are, the dangers they pose, how to avoid falling for them, and what to do if you become a victim of a deepfake attack.
What are deepfakes?
The term “deepfake” is derived from “Deep learning,” a subset of machine learning methods based on artificial neural networks, and the word “fake.” It was first coined in November 2017 when an anonymous user on Reddit used face-swapping technology to create and share fake videos.
Today, deepfakes extend to any application or software that can create realistic yet fabricated images, sounds, or videos of people.
Deepfake Examples
- The MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality presents an alternative history of the Moon Landing using deepfake technology, demonstrating its potential for misinformation.
- In a short YouTube video, deepfakes of Gayle King and Tom Hanks were used to promote products they never endorsed.
The danger of deepfakes
Fabricating videos and audio of individuals poses significant threats, including misinformation, privacy and consent issues, and security risks.
How to avoid falling for deepfakes?
To avoid falling for deepfakes, rely on news from trusted outlets and seek multiple sources for newsworthy videos found online.
What should I do if I am a victim of deepfake?
If you become a victim of a deepfake attack, collect evidence, flag or report the deepfake, contact legal professionals, and seek medical help if needed.
What to do next?
To learn more about avoiding false information, explore the Senior Planet resource linked in this article. Additionally, join the Ask a Tech Expert groups on the Senior Planet Community platform.
Your turn
Share your thoughts or remedies for the dangers posed by deepfakes in the comments.
Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer. He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.
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