After Elon Musk, now Tim Cook! Apple CEO’s deepfake promotes crypto scam

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As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the digital landscape, I’ve seen the evolution of technology and its implications firsthand. The recent deepfake videos involving high-profile figures like Tim Cook and Elon Musk are a stark reminder that the internet, while a marvel, can also be a breeding ground for deception.

Lately, a surge of deepfake videos showing Apple CEO Tim Cook has been circulating on YouTube, around the same time as Apple’s “Glowtime” event. These misleading videos aimed to persuade viewers into purchasing cryptocurrencies by using sophisticated AI technology to mimic Cook’s appearance and speech.

On a YouTube channel that closely resembled Apple’s authentic channel, live streams started showing up, even featuring a counterfeit verification symbol. This deceptive setup left viewers struggling to tell the fake content apart from the real one. However, after an influx of alerts from worried users, YouTube swiftly removed these videos.

Based on available information, during the online broadcast, an AI portraying Tim Cook appeared to endorse a supposed shortcut to wealth, often referred to as a “get rich quick” opportunity. In the stream, he made this suggestion.

After making your deposit, the system will immediately process it, doubling the cryptocurrency you initially deposited and sending the new amount back to you.

Tim Cook joins Elon Musk’s bandwagon

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It’s not the first time that deepfake technology has been manipulated for cryptocurrency scams. For example, artificial intelligence-generated videos of Elon Musk have been used in a similar manner before. They leverage his popular image to persuade unwitting viewers into investing in sham crypto projects.

It’s important to note that Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, isn’t new to issues such as these. In fact, he’s been involved in a lawsuit alleging that he manipulated the value of Dogecoin, the largest memecoin on the market. Although this case was quickly dropped, it’s worth mentioning that AI-generated versions of Musk are frequently used for real scams due to his high profile.

At the time, AMBCrypto’s report quoted Musk’s lawyers as having said,

It’s perfectly fine to express your backing or share humorous images related to a valid digital currency on Twitter.

What are social media platforms doing?

These popular social media outlets, such as YouTube and Twitter, are taking proactive steps to thwart deceptive practices. YouTube makes use of a mix of machine learning technology and human reviews to spot and delete misleading content, whereas Twitter relies on sophisticated AI to flag suspicious behavior and delete accounts peddling fraudulent ventures.

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Furthermore, they utilize automated detection tools as well as relying on users’ reports to pinpoint misleading or fake content.

As a researcher, I’m deeply concerned about the escalating issue of deepfake scams, underscoring the immediate need for enhanced digital literacy and robust security measures among us all. Given the increasing complexity of these deceptive practices, it’s crucial that we stay alert and proactive. Furthermore, it’s essential that platforms continue to innovate and refine their detection tools to safeguard their user communities from potential financial damage.

Simultaneously, governments and regulatory bodies globally are exploring innovative strategies and technologies as responses to the escalating threats posed by deepfake media and cryptocurrency scams. This ongoing battle against such fraud necessitates a collaborative approach among tech firms, users, and regulators, as cybercriminals persistently evolve their methods to take advantage of emerging weaknesses.

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2024-09-10 18:47