Besides viral challenges, TikTok continues to get bombarded by deepfakes. Tom Hanks, MrBeast, and other celebrities are often the victims of these AI-generated videos.
With the alarming number of deepfake clips on the video-sharing platform, some people want to ban TikTok so people can stay protected against generative AI misuse.
Deepfake Videos Pose Concern Among Users
For those unfamiliar with deepfake, it's a form of generative AI that features a person, an object, a trend, a place, or any subject.
When you browse TikTok, Facebook, and other social media sites, you will notice that some footage is computer-altered. By any means, they might be edited with matching fake speech and hand gestures.
If you do not know a celebrity on a video, you might ask yourself if he or she is the one speaking. Chances are, some of the clips only feature realistic impersonations of your favorite artists.
Aside from deepfake faces, there are also deepfake voices. They might be interesting to see and hear at first, but if it's passed into the wrong hands, it can spark disinformation in other people.
Related Article: Deepfake Scam Video Victimizes UK Consumer Finance Expert
TikTok Deepfakes Are Everywhere
In a report by NBC, YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson or MrBeast says that there's a TikTok ad of himself promoting a certain product.
MrBeast claims that this TikTok video is just a "scam." Although the voices and some movements are almost identical to his actions, you will notice some imperfections in the lip movements.
"Lots of people are getting this deepfake scam ad of me ... are social media platforms ready to handle the rise of AI deepfakes? This is a serious problem," Donaldson posted on X. Since then, the video has already been removed from TikTok.
Aside from MrBeast, a Tom Hanks deepfake also emerged on social media, but this time on Instagram. According to the "Elvis'' actor, he has nothing to do with the video of himself promoting a dental plan.
Over the weekend, Hanks urged his followers to be cautious on his AI-generated video.
Gayle King is also a victim of deepfake TikTok ad. According to the TV personality, many people have sent her a video and asked if she's really promoting a product.
King said that she hadn't heard yet about the product. She encouraged the public to be more vigilant so they won't get fooled by the AI videos.
Should TikTok Be Banned For Spreading AI Videos?
The controversy around deepfake clips put TikTok in a bad light once again. The ByteDance-owned short-video app continues to be a subject of potential ban.
Scott Galloway, a professor based at NYU, pushed that TikTok should be banned as it is a threat to national security, per 9to5Mac.
Galloway says that TikTok is just brainwashing the audience. The mastermind behind this is the CCP.
