YouTube, owned by Google, removes1,000 scam videos featuring AI-generated celebrity ads

YouTube, owned by Google, eradicated 1,000 deepfake scam videos, showcasing AI-generated celebrity endorsements for Medicare scams. Popular figures like Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey, and Joe Rogan were exploited. YouTube, acknowledging the issue, pledged to combat such deepfake content, emphasizing its commitment to cybersecurity in the evolving landscape.

Image Source -www.searchenginejournal.com

In a decisive move against deepfake scams, YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, has purged over 1,000 fraudulent advertisement videos by deploying advanced AI technology. The elaborate scheme featured deepfake renditions of renowned personalities, including Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey, and Joe Rogan, endorsing Medicare scams. This widespread deception amassed nearly 200 million views before being exposed by a comprehensive 404 Media investigation, prompting YouTube to take swift action and remove the videos.

Addressing the issue, YouTube emphasized its substantial investment in countering AI-generated celebrity scam ads. The platform asserted its dedication to actively preventing the dissemination of such misleading content and expressed a serious commitment to combating the misuse of deepfake technology.

However, the deepfake predicament extends beyond YouTube, exemplified by a recent incident where non-consensual deepfake porn involving Taylor Swift gained viral traction on another platform. This explicit content garnered over 45 million views and 24,000 reposts within 17 hours before being removed. A report from 404 Media suggested that these images might have originated in a Telegram group where users shared AI-generated explicit content featuring women.

Also Read: New Role Awaits CSK's Rachin Ravindra In New Zealand's Test Series Against South Africa

Cybersecurity insights from firms like Deeptrace underscore the prevalent issue, indicating that approximately 96% of deepfakes are of a pornographic nature, with a notable focus on portraying women. This highlights the broader challenge of addressing the inappropriate use of AI-generated content online.

YouTube remains vigilant in addressing the misuse of its platform for celebrity deepfake ads, actively working to thwart these deceptive practices. The incident shines a spotlight on the persistent challenges faced by various online platforms in combating deepfake content. As technology evolves, platforms continually adapt and allocate resources to stay ahead in the ongoing battle against deceptive and harmful practices in the digital realm.