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Beware 'deepfakes' of famous doctors promoting scams, experts warn
Experts warn against deepfake videos of renowned doctors on social media promoting unsafe medical cures, misleading the public and risking lives by falsely advertising untested products, including harmful claims about proven drugs like metformin.
Key points
- Deepfake videos are being used on social media platforms to create misleading content.
- These videos feature trusted identities of famous doctors to lend credibility to false claims.
- Promoted products include untested natural syrups for diabetes, falsely suggesting metformin is dangerous.
- Experts highlight that such scams could endanger lives, especially with the likeness of deceased health personalities.
Why it matters
- The rise of deepfake technology highlights the growing challenges in digital misinformation as part of 2025 IT Trends.
- Deepfakes have emerged during a time of widespread misinformation on health-related issues, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The issue of trust in digital media reflects ongoing concerns about identity verification and cybersecurity in the digital age.
The emergence of deepfake technology poses significant threats to public health and safety, underscoring the need for greater awareness and regulation in digital media to combat misinformation.