There are numerous videos, which appear real online, but they are not real. These are referred to as fake videos. They alter their faces, voices, and actions with computer programs. Deepfakes are able to falsely claim a person said or did something that they had never said or done. This is a huge issue in that it becomes difficult to tell what is true over the internet. In the case when the individuals are not able to distinguish what is real, they cease believing the videos, the news, and even social media.
That is why, what can we do to prevent the destruction of trust in the information on the Internet because of deepfake videos? We can learn how deepfakes come to work, why they are dangerous, and what we can do to fight them.
What are deepfake videos?
Deepfakes are videos created with the help of special computer applications known as artificial intelligence. These devices find out the movement, speech, and the smiling of people. Then they imitate them and paste them on the face of another individual. As an example, a deepfake can turn a movie star into a participant in a video, where they did not appear, or a world leader into a person who said words they never said.
These are some of the fake videos that may not appear fake. Even the trained individuals fail to trace whether a video is fake or not by looking at it. This is what contributes to the danger of deepfakes because they have actual pictures and actual voices to broadcast fake information.
Why are deepfakes a problem?
Deepfake videos have the potential to destroy individuals and society in numerous ways.
To start with, they may damage the image of a person. One can create a fake video to humiliate or disgrace another individual. This may occur among celebrities, leaders and even ordinary individuals.
Secondly, they can be employed in the propagation of fake news. An unreal video can result into a leader appearing to have said something crude or dangerous and this can lead to a fight, fear or panic.
Third, crime can be performed using deepfakes. The scammers are capable of deceiving individuals into sending money using a fake voice recording. Others apply misleading company messages to trap workers to provide them with personal information.
All these activities do leave people with no faith in what they watch on the internet. In case deepfakes continue to propagate, they may lose faith in actual videos as well. Such a loss of confidence has the potential of damaging the internet and the manner in which facts are shared.
How to spot a deepfake
Some deepfakes are very convincing but not all of them are unable to show you hints that reveal them. Look at the person’s face. is there anything strange about their blinking eyes? Is the skin sickly smooth or greasy? Even the shadows on their face?
Listen to the voice. Sometimes the tone sounds flat or robotic. The lips might not move in time with the words.
Also, check the source of the video. If the video comes from a random account or a message with no proof, be careful. Real news usually comes from known channels or websites.
You can also use deepfake detector tools online. These tools use computer programs to check videos for signs of editing.
How can we stop deepfakes from spreading?
Stopping deepfakes is not easy, but there are smart ways to slow them down.
1. Use better technology to find fake videos.
Scientists and companies are making programs that can detect fake faces and voices. These programs look for small signs that humans may miss. For example, they can check how light falls on the face or how the voice moves with the mouth.
2. Add digital watermarks.
Video makers can add hidden marks that show when and where a video was made. These marks help viewers check if the video is real. If a video has no watermark, people can be more careful before sharing it.
3. Educate people about fake media.
Schools and websites can teach people how to check if information is true. When people learn how deepfakes work, they are less likely to share fake content. Many false videos spread fast because people share them without checking first.
4. Make strict laws.
Governments can make laws to punish people who create deepfakes for harm. This can include fake political videos, scams, or bullying. When there are strong rules, fewer people will risk making or spreading deepfakes.
5. Encourage companies to act.
Social media sites like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube can block or mark deepfake videos. They can also work with fact-checkers to warn users before they watch or share such videos.
Final thoughts
Deepfake videos are a modern threat to truth. They can fool people, ruin reputations, and weaken trust in everything we see online. But we are not helpless. By learning to spot deepfakes, checking information before sharing, and supporting fair online laws, we can slow them down.
