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.”’ ‘8’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘fit-content’ ’embedCode’: ‘