As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the dark side of innovation rears its head in the form of deepfakes. Recently, actor Anup Soni fell victim to this alarming trend when a doctored video endorsing IPL betting went viral, wrongly featuring his voice and clips from his popular show Crime Patrol. The video appears to have utilised artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create a convincing replica of Soni’s voice, misleading viewers into believing that he endorses betting activities.
Following the video’s viral spread, Soni personally stepped forward to condemn the act and released a statement clarifying that he has absolutely no association with it. The incident has also shed light on the potential dangers and widespread impact of deepfake technology on celebrities and the public alike.
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A post shared by Anup Soni (@anupsoni3)
Deepfakes, a portmanteau of “deep learning” and “fake,” involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate video or audio content, often creating convincing yet deceptive imitations of real people. In the case of Anup Soni, his likeness was exploited to promote illegal activities, causing distress and raising concerns about the implications for celebrities and their reputations.
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A post shared by RJ LUCKY DUBGURU (@dubgururjlucky)
The video in question, urging online users to join Telegram groups, garnered millions of views, showcasing how rapidly such content can spread online. After the video went viral, Soni himself issued a warning stating, “This is a completely fake video and we all have to be alert as to how and to what extent things are getting manipulated these days. The voice totally seems like I’m only saying. Even video clips are from Crime Patrol. Please be alert people!!”
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Unfortunately, Soni is not the only celebrity to have been targeted by deepfake creators. Recently, several high-profile actors, sportspersons and politicians, including Ranveer Singh, Rashmika Mandana, Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan, Amit Shah and others, have also had their likenesses exploited in similar ways, often for deceptive or malicious purposes. People, especially victims and experts, have been calling for the urgent need for increased awareness and the development of countermeasures to combat the rise of deepfakes.
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