What is a Deepfake?

The term “deepfake” refers to media created to depict fake events and incidents. Deepfake technology (DFT) is used to make videos, photos, and audio. The deepfake media (DFM) are used for malice, satire, parody, etc. Largely, however, many DFM are pornographic, especially of celebrities. DFT allows users to use still portraits to photoshop celebrity faces onto porn stars. Non-celebrities are also victim to deepfake pornography, but 99% of victims are celebrities. Regardless of one’s celebrity status, these videos are incredibly damning for the victims and tough to dispute. DFM are highly realistic in nature, and it takes a well-trained eye to spot a deepfake. (More on this in a later blog post.)

It’s unethical for many a reason to show you pornographic examples of DFM, so let’s discuss family-friendly examples instead. In 2018, Jordan Peele uploaded this video on BuzzFeedVideo’s YouTube channel. The beginning is a deepfake video of Former President Barack Obama teaching viewers wariness toward consumed media. Deepfake Obama looks and sounds very similar to the real Obama, but it is later shown that Peele is really the one speaking. This video was intended to be informational, but if the video were cropped and context was removed, some of the statements Deepfake Obama made could be considered highly controversial.

TikTok users recently gained popularity for utilizing deepfakes for humourous entertainment. User @nextface uploaded a TikTok in March 2021 that turned Tom Holland and Robert Downey, Jr. into main characters in the classic Wizard of Oz. Jesse Richards (@IAmJesseRichards) almost exclusively posts deepfake videos where he depicts different celebrity faces on his body while singing popular songs. His most viewed videos portray Leonardo DiCaprio, the Sprouse twins, and Tom Holland. Lastly, there is user @deeptomcruise. Unlike @nextface and Jesse Richards, @deeptomcruise is a full body and voice deepfake of, you guessed it, actor Tom Cruise. The account is very convincing and led to the real Tom Cruise joining the app.

While these few examples are funny and have no ill intent, it’s important to remember that deepfakes can be incredibly dangerous if used by the wrong people. Next week, I’ll discuss how deepfakes are made and the technology used to make them.