What is a deepfake?

A deepfake is a technology, or a generated result, that uses AI or similar methods to synthesize or edit a person's face, voice, or movements so they appear real.

This technology is also used in video production and creative work.

On the other hand, it is also used for impersonation, harassment, fraud, sexualized image abuse, and reputational harm using someone's face or voice without consent.

When thinking about anonymity, the important point is that images and audio you publish can later be used in another context.

This article explains the basics of deepfakes and the points ordinary individuals should watch for.

What can be made with deepfakes?

Deepfakes can be used for face replacement, voice synthesis, generating mouth movements, creating fictional people, and similar actions.

The technology itself is not all bad.

The problem is when it is used without the person's consent or to deceive viewers.

Published material can be used

Deepfakes need source material.

Face photos, videos, voices, social media posts, streams, profile images, family photos. The more public material exists, the more material there is for misuse.

Voice also becomes personal information

In deepfakes, voice is important source material as well as the face.

If audio streams, videos, call recordings, voice posts on social media, or event remarks remain, they may be used for voice synthesis or impersonation.

Even without showing a face, voice becomes a clue that can make someone recognizable.

This is not as simple as saying you are completely safe if you never show your face or voice.

However, the less public material there is, the less material there is for misuse.

Relationship to anonymity

Deepfakes also relate to anonymity.

If someone's real face or voice is misused, anonymous activity may be linked with real-name information, or fake information may be used to damage credibility.

In anonymous activity, decide carefully whether to publish face or voice.

Once material spreads, it cannot be fully recovered later.

Public materials to watch

As a deepfake countermeasure, deleting every photo and audio file is not realistic.

However, you can be careful before publishing.

Videos that leave face and voice together become especially strong material.

Think about whether publication is necessary and what the risks are.

If you upload face photos, voices, victim images, or suspicious videos to external generative AI, voice-cloning, image-editing, or deepfake detection services, the material itself, source IP address, usage time, browser information, and search or detection history may be handed to that service. For high-risk material or victim images, it is important not to casually hand them to external services even for checking.

Judging real from fake becomes harder

The problem with deepfakes is not only that fakes can be created.

Even real images and audio may be called "possibly fake." This can force victims to explain themselves and damage their credibility.

That is why you need to manage published material and think about evidence preservation if a problem occurs.

If you notice misuse

If you notice a deepfake or impersonation, record it before reacting in a panic.

Save the URL, screenshots, posting time, account, and spread status. If sexualized images, threats, minors, fraud, or defamation are involved, consider platform reporting, specialists, lawyers, police consultation, and support organizations.

It is important not to handle it alone.

Everyday prevention

It is difficult to completely prevent deepfakes.

Even so, you can reduce material for misuse by reducing public material, not reusing images or voices between real-name and anonymous activity, and not publishing photos of family or allies without permission.

What matters is not becoming so afraid that you can do nothing.

It is choosing for yourself which material to publish.

Watch material involving family and allies

Deepfake harm does not necessarily happen only to you.

Family photos, group photos with allies, videos during activity, children's photos, and workplace or school photos can also become material for misuse. If you publish material without the person's consent, you expose that person to risk.

Even for material you want to publish, handle it carefully if it includes another person's face or voice.

Do not overexplain after harm occurs

When you notice misuse, you may want to immediately write a long explanation.

However, explanations may reveal new personal information. First preserve evidence and consider reporting or consultation options.

After harm occurs, prioritize preservation, reporting, and consultation before public rebuttal.

Summary

A deepfake is a technology or generated result that uses AI or similar methods to synthesize or edit a face or voice so it appears real.

While it can be used for creative work, it is also used for impersonation, harassment, fraud, and misuse of sexualized images.

Published face photos, videos, audio, and profile images may later be used in another context.

When thinking about anonymity, check how much of your face and voice to publish and whether images are being reused between real-name activity and anonymous activity.

If you notice misuse, preserve evidence and consider reporting or consulting specialists as needed.

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