As instances of AI-generated deepfake scams surge, both public figures and everyday individuals are falling prey to the far-reaching implications of this deceptive technology. CBS News New York has highlighted a recent spike in deepfake complaints, with the FBI citing more than a doubling in reported cases this year alone, while financial losses have nearly tripled compared to the same period last year. Among the victims is Dr. Rachel Goldman, a psychologist with television appearances on "Oprah Daily," whose likeness was used to falsify endorsements for a dubious weight-loss method involving pink salt. Goldman expressed concern not only over the misrepresentation but also over the dangerous health advice being marketed as her own, "It looks like me. It's kind of me talking, but it's not me at the same time," Goldman said. "It's very weird and scary."
The lawmakers are responding with legislation such as "The Deepfakes Accountability Act," which Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York, as senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, has introduced and reintroduced; the act would mandate a digital watermark on any AI-generated content to help distinguish its artificial nature, for New York legislation is not yet catching up to the pace of technological deception, not yet the growing sophistication of these schemes. Meanwhile, tech experts have echoed concerns over the ease of generating such content, with CBS News New York interviews revealing the startling simplicity and speed at which a deepfake can be produced, raising alarms over the potential for significant and widespread manipulation.
Additional reports, like the one from ABC 7 New York, detail the case of a South Los Angeles woman scammed out of $80,000, a scheme that used a deepfake video of Steve Burton, an actor from "General Hospital." Experts interviewed by 7 On Your Side Investigates noted the deepfake video likely required a mere 15 minutes to create, exemplifying the disturbing efficiency with which fraudsters can operate. Kathleen Grace, the chief strategy officer for Vermillio, stressed the accessibility of AI technology for such purposed, "Whatever you have online, people can take and use," she said, pointing to the growing need for digital literacy and skepticism among the public.
In the midst of technology's advancements, consumers are being encouraged to exercise caution, as authorities and tech companies struggle to stay a step ahead of scammers. New laws, such as the bipartisan "Take It Down Act," set to be implemented next May, aim to combat these scams by requiring swift removal of fake content from websites and applications, as per CBS News New York. Experts advise the public to pay close attention to details such as unnatural speech patterns, lip-syncing inconsistencies, and verify the legitimacy of endorsements through official medical or personal websites.
