Deepfake technology has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, making it easier than ever to create realistic-looking fake images and videos. This has led to a rise in deepfake content circulating online, including fake celebrity images and videos that are often used to spread misinformation or exploit people.
In recent weeks, several Bollywood actresses have been targeted by deepfake content creators. In October 2023, a deepfake video of Rashmika Mandanna went viral on social media. The video showed Mandanna entering an elevator dressed in a black body-hugging yoga suit and smiling for the camera. However, the original video featured social media influencer Zara Patel whose face was morphed into Mandanna’s.
A few days later, another deepfake video went viral showing Katrina Kaif in a similar compromising situation. The video was widely shared on social media and WhatsApp, causing a lot of distress to Kaif and her family.
Now, it seems that deepfake content creators are targeting celebrities outside of Bollywood as well. A morphed image of Indian cricketer Shubman Gill and Sara Tendulkar, the daughter of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has recently gone viral on social media. The image shows Gill and Tendulkar hugging each other, with Gill’s face superimposed on the body of Tendulkar’s brother Arjun.
The image has been widely shared on social media, with many fans wondering if Gill and Tendulkar are making their relationship public. However, it is clear that the image is fake. Gill and Tendulkar have never publicly confirmed their relationship, and the image shows several inconsistencies, such as the fact that Gill’s face is slightly too large for Arjun’s body.
The spread of deepfake content is a serious concern. It can be used to spread misinformation, exploit people, and damage people’s reputations. It is important to be aware of the dangers of deepfakes and to be critical of the content that you see online.
Here are some tips for spotting deepfakes:
- Look for inconsistencies in the image or video. For example, if someone’s face is slightly too large or too small for their body, or if their hair or clothing is not moving naturally, it could be a deepfake.
- Be wary of images and videos that seem too good to be true. If you see a celebrity in a compromising situation or doing something that is out of character, it could be a deepfake.
- Check the source of the image or video. If it is from an unknown source or a website that you are not familiar with, it is more likely to be a deepfake.
- Use reverse image search to see if the image or video has been posted elsewhere online. If it has, it is less likely to be a deepfake.
If you spot a deepfake, it is important to report it to the platform where you saw it. You can also help to raise awareness about deepfakes by sharing information about them with your friends and family.
The impact of deepfakes on celebrities
Deepfakes can have a devastating impact on celebrities. They can be used to spread misinformation about their personal lives, damage their reputations, and even extort money from them.
In the case of Rashmika Mandanna and Katrina Kaif, the deepfake videos that were circulated online caused them a lot of distress and embarrassment. They also had to deal with the negative reactions of their fans and the media.
In the case of Sara Tendulkar and Shubman Gill, the morphed image that went viral could potentially damage their reputations and make it difficult for them to have private relationships.
What can be done to stop the spread of deepfakes?
There are a number of things that can be done to stop the spread of deepfakes.
Social media platforms need to do more to detect and remove deepfake content. They can do this by using machine learning algorithms to identify deepfakes and by hiring human moderators to review suspicious content.
Governments need to pass laws that make it illegal to create and distribute deepfakes without consent. These laws should also hold social media platforms accountable for the deepfake content that is hosted on their platforms.
The public needs to be educated about the dangers of deepfakes. People need to be aware of how to identify deepfakes and how to report them.