As the world faces an ever-increasing digital landscape, maintaining privacy and ensuring ethical use of technology has become a paramount concern. In a recent development, cybercrime officials in India have identified several apps and websites creating nude images of unsuspecting individuals through artificial intelligence (AI). This situation reveals the challenges of deep fakes, their legal implications, and protective measures against these pernicious practices.
Deep Fake Technology: An Overview
Deep fakes, or deep nudes, are computer-generated media files pioneered by cybercriminals via AI programs. These technologically advanced creations result from overlaying a digital composite onto an existing video, image, or audio file. The AI algorithms effectively copy a person’s words, head movements, and expressions onto another subject, rendering it remarkably difficult to distinguish between a genuine file and a deep fake. The concept garnered attention in 2017 when an explicit video of a celebrity, made using this technique, was posted on Reddit. Since then, numerous instances have been reported.
The Risks of Deep Fake Technology
Deep Fake presents a significant threat due to its inherent vulnerability. Convincingly real deep fake images, videos, and audios can be manipulated by cybercriminals to disseminate misinformation, intimidate or blackmail people, or execute fraudulent activities on social and dating platforms. It has emerged as a new-age cyber menace alongside spam/phishing attacks, social engineering fraud, catfishing, academic fraud, and fake news. These techniques can facilitate creation of illegitimate pornographic content, fabricate false statements from politicians, and thereby bring about profound damage to individuals, organizations, and societies. With technological advancements, deep fakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. What was once accessible only to those with machine learning expertise and the victim’s publicly-available social profile has, over time, transformed into apps and websites accessible to average users.
Legal Complications Surrounding Deep Fakes
In the United States, deep fakes pose intricate legal challenges. On one hand, a victim may potentially claim defamation, while on the other hand, removal of such content could be construed as censorship and thus violate the First Amendment rights. To mitigate this, 46 states in the US have implemented revenge porn laws, which are designed to prosecute individuals who post explicit content without the depicted person’s consent. Additionally, the Right to be Forgotten allows users to request removal of their data from companies like Facebook and Google.
Preventative Measures Against Deep Fakes
Protecting oneself against the misuse of deep fake technology involves strict privacy settings on social media platforms, given that it is nearly impossible to monitor who downloads and misuses a user’s pictures. Free reverse image search tools can be employed to search for images similar to those of the user, aiding in identifying potential misuse. Remaining aware during virtual interactions and scrutinizing other users’ profiles can help determine the authenticity of the person on the other end. Users should also remain vigilant of phishing attempts, where seemingly genuine emails or texts carry links leading to fraudulent websites erected to steal login credentials. Another perilous online threat is a ‘catfish’ account, an entirely fictitious online profile, typically created to lure another into a bogus romantic relationship.
