The Rise of Deepfake Technology

Marcus McDonald (G7)

Science and Technology

Published Issue 5 2022-2023

Deepfakes were first published in November 2017 when a user posted on Reddit an algorithm they made to analyze facial expressions and generate fake but realistic videos. Soon, it became public software free for use after the code was shared on GitHub for free use after the thread was posted on Reddit.

While deepfakes have beneficial purposes such as comedy or entertainment, they can also be used maliciously. After the first instance of this new technology was released to the public, people started using it to harm celebrity reputations by creating false statements and actions. One example of deepfakes being used maliciously is when cyber attackers stole $243,000 from an unnamed UK-based energy company; they used deepfakes to fake a call from the CEO to the employee requesting a wire transfer of $243,000 to a Hungary-based supplier. Without realizing their mistake, they quickly sent the money.

Deepfakes can also be linked to important world events, such as the war in Ukraine, when Russian cybercriminals used this technology to fake a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky telling the Ukrainian army to stand down. Although social media platforms quickly took this video down, its impact was significant. The exact consequences of this false message are uncertain, but it undoubtedly played a part in spreading misinformation about the Ukrainian war.

In conclusion, deepfakes have become a growing concern with the current fake news issue. It is more difficult to understand what is real and what is fake. Political leaders are more vulnerable to deepfakes compared to anyone else, which could be detrimental to their reputations, or influence elections. Deepfakes could be used to spread false information about a political leader or create fake videos making them say or do something that could change the public opinion about the leader. Developing techniques to identify and cease the spread of malicious deepfakes is essential as deepfake technology advances and becomes more accessible.