Families Urged to Create Safe Words Amid Surge in AI Deepfake Scams

Families across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to establish safe words and passwords to protect themselves from a rising tide of AI-driven deepfake scams. These scams, which utilize advanced artificial intelligence technology to create realistic fake videos, are not only targeting celebrities but also everyday individuals. As the technology becomes more sophisticated, distinguishing between genuine and manipulated content has become increasingly challenging.

As users of social media platforms like TikTok will know, AI-generated videos featuring well-known figures can spread rapidly. Recent examples include videos of personalities such as Jake Paul, Tupac, and Robin Williams. While some may find amusement in these creations, there is a growing concern about their potential for misuse.

Importance of Safe Words

Reports from the Mirror indicate that families are now urged to agree on unique safe words or passwords that only they would recognize. This measure can serve as an additional layer of protection against impersonation scams. With hackers able to access personal data easily, some criminals are cloning individuals’ voices and images to conduct fraudulent video calls demanding money.

A TikTok user known as Chelsea (@chelseasexplainsitall) demonstrated how simple it is to create these fake videos using an OpenAI application called Sora. This text-to-video platform, which has over one million downloads, can generate realistic videos in under a minute. Chelsea emphasizes the importance of safe words, stating, “You and your family need a safe word.” She pointed out that while deepfake technology can mimic appearance and mannerisms, it cannot understand or recognize unique phrases.

These deepfake videos pose significant risks as they often exploit the likenesses of deceased public figures. Experts warn that using images of those who have passed away can lead to the spread of misinformation. Moreover, such individuals cannot give consent for their likenesses to be used in AI-generated content. An OpenAI spokesperson remarked to NBC News: “While there are strong free speech interests in depicting historical figures, we believe that public figures and their families should ultimately have control over how their likeness is used.”

Public Response and Concerns

Chelsea’s TikTok video has garnered over 41,000 likes and more than 700 comments, with many users expressing their concerns about the implications of AI scams. One viewer noted, “Eventually, we will not be able to differentiate what’s real and what’s not real.” Another user, who identified as a banking professional, urged others to take precautions, stating, “Protect yourself and your loved ones.” A third commenter added, “Thank you for this PSA!! We need AI regulation, I’m so concerned for the future. We need more data literacy education to be able to distinguish from real and AI-generated content.”

As AI technology continues to advance, the urgency for public awareness and protective measures grows. Creating safe words could become a vital strategy for families to safeguard themselves against the potential threats posed by deepfake scams and similar fraudulent activities.