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Deepfake Technology

Deepfake Technology News

  • The new rules in China mandate companies and platforms using the technology to first receive consent from individuals before they edit their voice or image.
  • Deep synthesis technology: Use of technologies such as deep learning and augmented reality, to generate text, images, audio and video to create virtual scenes is called deep synthesis technology.
  • Deepfakes is one of the most notorious applications of deep synthesis technology.

 

China’s New Policy to Curb Deepfakes

  • The policy mandates deep synthesis service providers and users to ensure that any altered content using the technology is explicitly labeled and can be traced back to its source.
  • People using the technology to edit someone’s image or voice has to notify and take the consent of the person in question.
  • In case of reposting of news made using this technology, source can only be government-approved list of news outlets.
  • Deep synthesis service providers have to follow local laws, respect ethics, and maintain the correct political direction and correct public opinion orientation.
  • Need for such policy:
    • Unchecked use of deep synthesis technology could lead to its use in criminal activities like online scams or defamation.
    • The regulations aim to reduce risks that might arise from activities provided by platforms which use deep learning or virtual reality to alter any online content.

 

What is Deepfake Technology?

  • Deepfakes uses machine-learning algorithms to compile artificial images and audio put together to spread misinformation and replace a real person’s appearance, voice, or both with similar artificial likenesses or voices.
  • Deepfake technology makes use of synthetic media to swap the face or voice of one person for another. With advancement of technology, Deepfakes are getting harder to detect.
  • Deepfake technology can fake real people saying and doing things they did not say or do.
  • Origin: The term originated when an anonymous user manipulated Google’s open-source, deep-learning technology to create and post pornographic videos, involving celebrities.
  • Current uses: In recent times, the technology is used for wrong purposes such as scams and hoaxes, celebrity pornography, election manipulation, social engineering, automated disinformation attacks, identity theft and financial fraud.
types-of-Deepfake-frauds
types-of-Deepfake-frauds

 

Combating Deepfakes

European Union:

  • The EU has updated Code of Practice to prevent the spread of disinformation through deepfakes.
  • Under the code, tech companies such as Google, Meta, and Twitter have to take measures in countering deepfakes and fake accounts on their platforms.
  • Companies have six months to implement measures once they have signed up to the Code. If found non-compliant, companies may have to pay 6% of their annual global turnover as fine.
  • Signatories: Companies such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, Mozilla, Microsoft, TikTok etc have joined signed up.

The US:

  • The US has introduced the bipartisan Deepfake Task Force Act to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to counter deepfake technology.
  • The DHS has to conduct an annual study of deepfakes, assess the technology used, track its uses by foreign and domestic entities, and suggest countermeasures to tackle the same.
  • States such as California and Texas have passed laws that criminalise the publishing and distributing of deepfake videos that intend to influence the outcome of an election.
  • The law in Virginia imposes criminal penalties on the distribution of nonconsensual deepfake pornography.

India:

  • India does not have legal rules against using deepfake technology. However, there are laws against misusing the tech, which include Copyright Violation, Defamation and cyber felonies.
deepfake-fraud-prevention
deepfake-fraud-prevention

 

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