“Deepfake” refers to fake audio or video used by cyber criminals for illicit purposes. It generally entails swapping people’s faces and modifying audio to simulate another individual. These videos originated in 2017 and were commercially developed as mobile apps in 2018 and 2019. These apps allow users to swap faces with one another and impose their image on movie clips and supplement it with desired clothing and fashion. In March 2020, a video face swap app, Impressions, was created that allows the user to make high-quality face-swap videos.
Growing alongside their commercial and entertainment uses are “deepfake” video crimes. Cybercriminals use computer algorithms to create disruptions to industry sectors. For instance, “deepfake” videos can impersonate politicians or CEOs and entice people to transfer funds or otherwise steal millions of dollars from unwary consumers and companies. They can also interrupt the financial industry, media, and the 2020 elections. It is an elaborate yet highly convincing form of forgery and is becoming a major cybersecurity threat. “Deepfake” videos are likely to have a significant impact across various industry sectors as cybercriminals embrace its use for cybercrimes.