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Cybersmile Warns of Rise in Cyberbullying Incidents Involving Doctored Images and Deepfake Videos

The issue of manipulated media has also raised wider concerns regarding the implications of deepfake content contributing to the spread of misinformation and misrepresentation - which can have a powerful impact on the public’s perception of important social issues. If you are affected by anything touched on within this article, follow the links to our various support services or click on the blue logo icon at the bottom right of the screen to start using Cybersmile Assistant, our smart AI support assistant.

Cybersmile has warned of a sharp increase in the number of reported incidents of cyberbullying that include abusive or derogatory images or videos that have been manipulated using deepfake technologies. The spike in ‘deepfake’ or fake content related incidents was first identified by Cybersmile Assistant, Cybersmile’s AI smart support system.

Fake content of this kind can range from ‘shallowfake’ material such as simple memes with a person’s image being used to mock or humiliate them, to more sophisticated ‘deepfake’ content which uses advanced image manipulation tools to create very realistic fake content that can incorporate genuine news footage, film clips, interviews or inappropriate content to create misleading, fake or potentially offensive and harmful material.

Fake online content is not altogether a new phenomenon, as cropping and pasting images to create harmful or abusive content has always been present as a form of cyberbullying. However, the rise in the number of incidents and also in the level of sophistication indicate that image manipulation and deepfake technologies are developing rapidly and becoming increasingly more accessible to online users, including those wanting to use them for the wrong reasons.

“It is crucial for all internet users to be aware of how deepfake technologies can be used to manipulate context and abuse people online, as the effects of deepfake content can be devastating. We would recommend anyone targeted to report it immediately to the platform where the content is hosted and to reach out to Cybersmile for further support and guidance if required.”

Laura Lewandowski, The Cybersmile Foundation

The issue has also raised wider concerns regarding the implications of deepfake content contributing to the spread of misinformation and misrepresentation – which can have a powerful impact on the public’s perception of important social issues.

Twitter, Meta and Google are among a number of companies already focusing on deepfake material and how best to combat content manipulation. Potential solutions may include more sophisticated manipulation or deepfake detection programs designed to identify content that has been manipulated or faked, or policy changes that directly address the use of deepfake content such as what is permissible and what is not.

If you are affected by anything touched on within this article, we can help you. Visit our Help Center or click on the blue logo icon at the bottom right of the screen to open Cybersmile Assistant, our smart AI support assistant.

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