Tech That Can Fool Anyone

From tech to realityFrom a technical standpoint, visual deepfakes are devised through the use of machine learning tools that are able to decode and strip down the images of all the facial expressions related to the two individuals into a matrix consisting of certain key attributes, such as the position of the target's nose, eyes and mouth.

Speaking on the finer aspects of deepfake technology, Vlad Miller, CEO of Ethereum Express - a cross-platform solution that is based on an innovative model with its own blockchain and uses a proof-of-authority consensus protocol - told Cointelegraph that deepfakes are simply a way of synthesizing human images by making use of a machine learning technique called GAN, an algorithm that deploys a combination of two neural networks.

Examples of deepfakes being used for nefarious purposesSince deepfake technology is able to manipulate and imitate the facial features and personality characteristics of real-world individuals, it raises many legitimate concerns, especially in relation to its use for various shady activities.

One last big example of deepfake tech being misused for financial reasons was when the CEO of an unnamed United Kingdom-based energy firm was recently scammed into transferring 220,000 euros to an unknown bank account because he believed he was on the phone with his boss, the chief executive of the firm's parent company.

Blockchain may help against deepfakesAs per a recent 72-page report issued by Witness Media Lab, blockchain has been cited as being a legitimate tool for countering the various digital threats put forth by deepfake technology.

Commenting on the matter, Greg Forst, director of marketing for Factom Protocol, told Cointelegraph that when it comes to deepfakes, blockchain has the potential to offer the global tech community with a unique solution - or at least a major part of it.

Lastly, a similar idea was shared by Miller, who is of the opinion that blockchain technology in conjunction with artificial intelligence can help solve many of the privacy and security concerns put forth by deepfakes.

Blockchain technology has its own limitationsAs things stand, there are a few small drawbacks that are preventing blockchain technology from being actively used to monitor deepfakes on the internet.

Another potential issue that could arise as a result of blockchain being used for deepfake detection is a substantial curbing of crowdsourced video content.

Forst then added that, "The biggest drawback is that blockchain doesn't solve the problem with deepfakes in its entirety, rather it can be a piece of the solution."