Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — The country needs to launch proactive steps to curb the proliferation of “deepfake” videos now being used to prey on Filipinos, even manipulating the faces and voices of CNN Philippines’ anchors to report bogus stories, a global expert said.
Cybersecurity expert Allan Cabanlong said deepfake technology, which allows some people to develop artificial videos and images, is not illegal per se if a user has consent over an image.
Using this for illicit purposes, such as identity theft, however, can be punishable under existing laws, he said.
Cabanlong, who served as assistant secretary for cybersecurity of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), said the illegal use of deepfake technology has been “so rampant nowadays,” particularly in social media platforms.
“‘Yan ang side ng AI (artificial intelligence) na ginamit ng criminal to spread misinformation. Based on my opinion, dumadami, nag-pro-progress for political and economic gains,” said Cabanlong, who is now the regional director for Southeast Asia Global Forum on Cyber Expertise.
[Translation: That is the side of AI (artificial intelligence) used by criminals to spread misinformation. Based on my opinion, (it is) increasing, progressing for political and economic gains.]
In a viral post, CNN Philippines anchor Ruth Cabal raised her concern over the “perils of AI” after she had been the target of a fake video, showing the company’s logo and her reporting about an investment platform.
Cabal dismissed the video, which seemed convincing based on the photo posted, as “disinformation.”
“The voice also sounds a bit like mine but the pronunciation of some words is different. This is a DEEPFAKE – my video and audio were manipulated to report something else,” the journalist said.
“This was done with another one of our anchors last week, too,” she added.
For its part, CNN Philippines said it was “aware of certain AI-generated online contents that digitally alter its anchors to spread false information.”
The network said it has already reported these malicious incidents to social media and web platforms.
“The CNN Philippines brand equates to accurate, fair and balanced reporting. The network vigorously pursues these journalistic traits in its content,” it said.
CNN Philippines also urged the public to be more vigilant in identifying fake content on social media platforms.
As deepfake content has been making rounds online, seeking to victimize Filipinos, the expert said media outlets need to bolster their efforts by investing in technology to detect and monitor such postings.
A “constant reminder” to viewers and readers is also needed as deepfake content is already “causing misinformation,” Cabanlong said.
“The proactive measure is to really inform the public,” he said.
Does the PH need a new policy to regulate AI?
Cabanlong said the government cannot really ban the use of AI, but if the technology is tapped to launch criminal acts punishable under cybercrime law, authorities can crack down on perpetrators.
The government, he said, should “periodically inform the public” on the latest crimes using AI.
He said the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the DICT, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation must lead this initiative.
While there is already a law protecting victims, Cabanlong said the problem is anonymity.
He said local authorities do not have enough capacity to uncover the cybercriminals.
The best thing to do is build the capacity of law enforcement agencies to detect who is doing it and to go after those criminals, he said.
Forging ties with other countries can help identify suspects, he added.
