Copyleaks warns of celebrity deepfake scam ads on TikTok

In short: Scammers are using AI-made celebrity videos on TikTok to push fake offers and trick people into sharing personal information.

What's going on

Copyleaks, a company that checks whether content is real, says it has found scam ads on TikTok that use “deepfakes.” A deepfake is a fake video made with AI that can copy someone’s face and voice (like a convincing costume for video).

According to Copyleaks, these ads often show celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna in familiar interview settings, like red carpets, podcasts, or talk shows. The scammers may start with real footage and then use AI to change what the person appears to say.

Many of the ads promote so-called rewards programs. They claim users can earn money by watching TikTok videos and giving feedback. Some ads even show TikTok’s branding, which can make the offer look official, but Copyleaks says people are redirected to third-party sites that ask for personal information.

The Verge notes this is part of a wider problem across social media. Other platforms have also faced large volumes of scam ads and fake celebrity promotions, and companies like YouTube have said they are investing in stopping them.

What to watch

TikTok and other platforms will likely face more pressure to spot and remove these ads faster, especially as deepfakes get easier to make and harder to recognize. For everyday users, a good rule is to treat celebrity endorsements in ads with extra caution, especially if the link leads off the app and asks for personal details.

Source: The Verge AI