Deepfake: What Is It and How to Prevent It?

You can’t believe what you’re seeing? Well, you probably shouldn’t. Even a video of someone is no longer guaranteed to be real, as “synthetic media” with malicious intent now abounds on the Internet. These deepfakes portray celebrities, politicians, and influential people in eerily credible media content, leveraging their authority… but they hardly stop there. What are deepfakes, exactly? How do they work? How to spot them? Let’s go over a few deepfake examples to understand why these scams are so effective and what to do against them.

Understanding Deepfakes

Definition and Overview

What are deepfakes? Examples abound, and most Internet users have heard of them. Yet, the definition can be more complex to grasp. Deepfakes are typically created using AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) algorithms. They can refer to manipulated or fully synthesized media content, producing a fake yet highly convincing representation of a person.

How Deepfakes Work

Deepfake technology examples range from convincing voice recordings and “filter-type” videos all the way to fully fabricated yet highly lifelike content. These results are obtained through advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques that substitute or superimpose one person’s facial features over someone else’s. These videos can be pre-recorded or generated in real time using a fake webcam and a powerful enough GPU. In other words, it is even possible to converse with someone we think we know but turns out to be a deepfake. These computer-generated models are near-seamless, and while they are still relatively rare, they are undoubtedly on the rise.

Notable Examples of Deepfakes

Public Figures and Celebrities

Some of the most well-known deepfake examples involve public figures and celebrities. Most are rather benign and mainly serve to demonstrate the potential of the technology, such as the video showing soccer player David Beckham speaking nine different languages fluently, or the one created by comedian Jordan Peele using readily available apps, in which he staged a “public service announcement” by superimposing his own mouth and jawline over that of former president Barack Obama. Several examples of deepfake videos accessible on TikTok also feature Tom Cruise and, at first glance, appear relatively convincing.

Business Fraud and Identity Theft

Sadly, deepfake examples don’t stop at amusing imitation videos of famous people. Impersonation attempts are becoming more frequent, sometimes with very serious ramifications. In the case of one UK-based energy firm, the chief executive received a phone call from someone who he believed—without a doubt—was his boss ordering him to transfer $243,000 to a Hungarian supplier. Everything about the voice seemed genuine, and it wasn’t until the fraudster requested money multiple times that they were unmasked.

Deepfake attack examples are becoming more prevalent. And they work because people tend to trust the individuals they know.

The Evolution of Deepfake Technology

Early Instances and Key Developments

The first well-known deepfake examples date back to the middle of the 2010s. Lucasfilm experimented with the technology in 2016, showcasing the likenesses of Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing superimposed on other actors… to moderately convincing effect. Even as early as 2007, adult-related content was created using deepfakes of mainstream celebrities. How did deepfake technology evolve since then? The immense improvements in AI algorithms took deepfakes from the status of amusing, albeit clunky and resource-heavy, curiosity to that of unnervingly realistic models.

The Role of AI and Machine Learning

AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) are at the root of deepfake technology. Examples can be considered successful when a generative algorithm can produce images that a discriminative algorithm cannot tell apart from reality: that’s the basis of a GAN system, which is now the prevalent method for fine-tuning the believability of deepfake images, audio recordings, and videos. From cloning a person’s voice to lip-syncing and mimicking someone’s mannerisms, it is all possible thanks to GAN, autoencoders, natural language processing algorithms, and other AI and ML-augmented technologies.

The Threats Posed by Deepfakes

Misinformation and Fake News

While most deepfake examples to this date have been relatively benign, more and more are being created with more nefarious intents. From election interference to political misinformation such as fake announcements, hate speech, defamation, and nonconsensual pornography, the dangers are spreading.

Identity Theft and Financial Fraud

In the case of deepfake attacks, examples now abound as well. They range from blackmail and reputational harm to stock manipulation, impersonation with the intent of stealing accounts and other resources, and more.

Identifying Deepfakes

Visual and Audio Cues

For now, knowing what to look out for still makes it possible to detect deepfakes most of the time. How to spot a deepfake without detection technology? Some tell-tale signs include:

• Inconsistent audio or poor lip-syncing.
• Inconsistent or unnatural coloring, reflections, or shadows.
• Unnatural blinking or no blinking at all.
• Unnatural eye movement.
• Unnatural facial or body movement.
• Images or videos that look off when zoomed in.
• Out-of-place or inconsistent details (jewelry, strands of hair, buttons, etc., could be at strange angles, off-center, or fuzzy).

Technological Solutions for Detection

That being said, we are seeing increasingly convincing deepfake examples that, in the right conditions, are indistinguishable from the real thing. Scammers cover their tracks by recording audio with substantive background noise or lowering the image quality to make details harder to examine. Thankfully, deepfake verification software is progressing as rapidly as deepfake technology itself. By combining human expertise with advanced machine learning models and AI algorithms, Incode provides effective deepfake-related fraud detection solutions.

Combating Deepfakes: Strategies and Solutions

Legal and Regulatory Approaches

Deepfake prevention must also happen at the legal and regulatory level. The current absence of laws—which stems from a lack of awareness regarding the dangers of deepfake technology—fails to protect citizens and businesses. Some states are beginning to issue regulations. But for now, being on the lookout and using deepfake verification technology remain the most sensible approaches.

Technological Defenses

Progress toward effective deepfake prevention software is fast-moving, and some simple deepfake verification precautions can already be taken. For example, digital signatures can be used to authenticate content creators. In addition, more advanced solutions are now available. They include AI-powered detection software capable of producing a confidence score that shows to what extent a photo or video has been manipulated, databases of existing deepfakes that keep “digital fingerprints” against which new content may be compared, and detection platforms that rely on deep learning to pinpoint deepfake media by looking for malware and virus-type signatures.

Future Trends in Deepfake Technology

While many have taken an interest in the potential of deepfake examples for entertainment purposes, there is no denying that the technology poses several, very real concerns. The rapid advancements in AI and machine learning speak of a future where the illusion is flawless. From education to filmmaking and virtual reality environments, deepfake technology could enhance an array of experiences.

However, there are serious downsides, as the potential for misuse poses a significant threat. From misinformation to cybercrime and even interpersonal communications, wherever reality can be convincingly manipulated, there lie major societal insecurities. Fortunately, the development of robust deepfake detection methods is progressing just as quickly as the threat itself, and content authentication is poised to become a cornerstone of digital media consumption. Digital identity will be at the heart of verification solutions, working seamlessly to give credence to photos, videos, audio recordings, and even real-time interactions.

Finally, the legal framework surrounding the use of deepfake technology is making radical progress as the call to collective action is reaching current leadership. At this crossroads in the digital age, businesses and organizations everywhere need to take a proactive approach to preserve their relationship of trust, truth, and ethics with the wider world.

Do you wish to explore our solutions to protect your business against deepfake technology? Contact us now!