Deepfakes: This is how photo, video and audio content is manipulated!
When it comes to fake news and disinformation, the term deepfakes comes up again and again. But what exactly is it and how can you expose deepfakes?
What are deepfakes? Deepfakes are photos, videos or audio files that are intentionally altered using artificial intelligence . The term is a combination of “deep learning” (a method through which an artificial intelligence learns) and “fake”. In these videos, images or voice files, you see or hear people doing or saying things that they have never actually done or said.
The manipulation of media content is not a new phenomenon and was used very early on, primarily in connection with political propaganda. In contrast to the past, however, today we rely on artificial intelligence and the computing power of computers.
One of the first videos to get a lot of attention was a deepfake of former US President Barack Obama . In this video, the online medium BuzzFeed shows how deepfakes work and why they can be dangerous > Read more
How do you recognize deepfakes?
Currently, many deepfake videos can still be seen with the naked eye. There are typical characteristics by which you can recognize deepfakes:
- Unnatural face: An unnatural facial expression or a blank look can be an indication that it is a fake. Illogical shadows on the face or strange-looking hair can also be revealing.
- Blurred transitions: Pay attention to transitions like the one between face and hair or face and neck. These transitions are often blurred in deepfakes.
- Lack of blinking: People blink automatically, without being aware of it, every few seconds. If people in a video don't blink, that's a red flag!
- Different quality: If the face has a different quality than the rest of the video or image, it is probably a deepfake.
- Illogical background: Look at the background and the transition from face to background; errors often only become apparent when you look more closely!
- Use tools: Various companies and universities are already working on tools to detect deepfakes. For example, there is the Deepware Scanner , the DeepFake-o-meter or the Deepfake Detection from DuckDuckGoose .
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

