"Fake Doctors on TikTok: How AI Deepfakes Are Spreading Health Misinformation"
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are facing a growing concern over the spread of health misinformation due to AI-generated deepfake videos featuring real doctors. The phenomenon has been uncovered by fact-checking organization Full Fact, which found hundreds of such videos impersonating respected medical professionals and promoting unproven supplements.
The creation of these deepfakes involves manipulating real footage of doctors from the internet, reworking their audio to encourage viewers to buy products from a US-based supplements firm called Wellness Nest. The videos claim that certain supplements can alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, despite lacking scientific evidence to support such claims.
The impact on the affected individuals has been profound, with some experiencing feelings of irritation and frustration at being used as a prop for health misinformation. Prof David Taylor-Robinson, a specialist in children's health, was shocked to find that his image had been manipulated to endorse Wellness Nest products, despite having no connection to the firm.
TikTok took down the videos six weeks after Taylor-Robinson complained, citing their guidelines against harmful misinformation and behaviors such as impersonation. However, the incident highlights a broader issue of social media giants failing to adequately regulate AI-generated content.
The situation is not unique to TikTok, with similar deepfakes appearing on other platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube. Wellness Nest has denied any affiliation with the AI-generated content, claiming it cannot control or monitor affiliates around the world.
As concerns over health misinformation grow, politicians are calling for action. Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, is advocating for clinically approved tools to detect and combat AI deepfakes posing as medical professionals.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for social media companies to invest in robust content detection technologies and take swift action against harmful misinformation. The spread of AI-generated deepfake videos featuring real doctors poses a significant threat to public health, and it is essential that authorities and platforms work together to address this issue.
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are facing a growing concern over the spread of health misinformation due to AI-generated deepfake videos featuring real doctors. The phenomenon has been uncovered by fact-checking organization Full Fact, which found hundreds of such videos impersonating respected medical professionals and promoting unproven supplements.
The creation of these deepfakes involves manipulating real footage of doctors from the internet, reworking their audio to encourage viewers to buy products from a US-based supplements firm called Wellness Nest. The videos claim that certain supplements can alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, despite lacking scientific evidence to support such claims.
The impact on the affected individuals has been profound, with some experiencing feelings of irritation and frustration at being used as a prop for health misinformation. Prof David Taylor-Robinson, a specialist in children's health, was shocked to find that his image had been manipulated to endorse Wellness Nest products, despite having no connection to the firm.
TikTok took down the videos six weeks after Taylor-Robinson complained, citing their guidelines against harmful misinformation and behaviors such as impersonation. However, the incident highlights a broader issue of social media giants failing to adequately regulate AI-generated content.
The situation is not unique to TikTok, with similar deepfakes appearing on other platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube. Wellness Nest has denied any affiliation with the AI-generated content, claiming it cannot control or monitor affiliates around the world.
As concerns over health misinformation grow, politicians are calling for action. Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, is advocating for clinically approved tools to detect and combat AI deepfakes posing as medical professionals.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for social media companies to invest in robust content detection technologies and take swift action against harmful misinformation. The spread of AI-generated deepfake videos featuring real doctors poses a significant threat to public health, and it is essential that authorities and platforms work together to address this issue.
! These fake docs on TikTok are totally spreading misinformation and putting people's health at risk 
. It's crazy that they're just reworking real footage of doctors and using their names to sell unproven supplements 
. We need social media companies like TikTok to step up their game and invest in better content detection tech 
. And honestly, I feel for the real docs whose images are being used without permission 
. They should get some compensation or at least a warning that their clip is being used in a sketchy way 
. We can't let these AI deepfakes just spread like wildfire and cause more harm 
.
. But seriously, when it comes to health misinformation, it's a whole different story. We need to do better, you know? Like, we need social media companies to have some sort of algorithm in place to detect those fake docs and not just leave them up there 
. It's just too much for people to handle, especially when they're already stressed about their health. We need to take this stuff seriously and make some real changes 
It's so easy for anyone with some basic editing skills to make a fake video of a doctor endorsing some sketchy supplements. And the worst part is that people actually believe it 
I mean, prof Taylor-Robinson was literally shocked to see his face used in one of those videos and now he has to deal with all this drama 
. I get why TikTok took down the videos, but six weeks is like an eternity for someone who's already stressed about their health 
. Social media companies need to step up their game and find a way to detect these deepfakes before they cause more harm 
. It's not that hard to implement some basic AI detection tech 
.
But what's the plan? Can we really trust AI-generated content? It feels like we're just scratching the surface of this problem... and I'm kinda worried that we won't be able to catch up soon enough 
. And the fact that Wellness Nest is denying any affiliation with it doesn't fill me with confidence either 
. Social media giants need to step up their game and crack down on these kinds of vids ASAP 
. We can't have people making decisions about their health based on lies and misinformation 
. We need more robust content detection tools and stricter guidelines around AI-generated content. It's a ticking time bomb for public health, and we need to address it pronto 
I mean, who creates these fake vids? 
like, AI deepfakes are already crazy, but this is on another level 
. We need some serious action from the platforms and governments ASAP 
. And what's with Wellness Nest just denying everything? 
like, come on, own up to it or take responsibility for your affiliates' actions