Author – Divyanshi Rathour
Introduction-
The fast-paced digital world of today has given deception a whole new meaning. Lies are no longer told in person or through easy tricks; instead, deception has developed into intricate plans that are more harmful than ever and more difficult to uncover. The new face of deception is hidden behind technology and anonymity, ranging from sophisticated identity theft and cyber fraud to fake news and social media manipulation. This contemporary kind of dishonesty undermines trust in organisations, the media, and even interpersonal relationships in addition to endangering personal privacy and security. To protect ourselves and create a society that is safer and more open, it is essential to comprehend how deception functions in this new environment.
What are Deep fakes?
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques are used to create deepfakes, which are realistic-looking but phoney images, videos, or audio recordings. The term “deepfake” is derived from the words “deep learning,” which is a form of artificial intelligence, and “fake.”
To create the illusion that someone is saying or doing something they never did, deepfakes can alter a person’s face, voice, or body language. Deepfake technology, for instance, can change faces in videos so that a politician or celebrity appears to be speaking or acting differently than they did.
How Do Deepfakes Get Created?
AI models are trained on vast amounts of data, including images and videos of the target individual, to produce deepfakes. The AI creates new, realistic-looking fake content after learning the person’s appearance and gait.
What Makes Deepfakes Significant?
Deepfakes raise serious issues, even though they can be used for entertainment purposes, such as in movies. They can be used for fraud and scams, to spread false information, or to harm people’s reputations. It can be challenging to distinguish between real and fake deepfakes because they are so convincing.
Difference between Real & Deepfake Content-
| Aspect | Real Content | Deepfake Content |
| Definition | Genuine, unaltered recording of real people, voices, and events. | AI-generated or altered media to mimic real people or events. |
| Creation Technology | Standard cameras, microphones, recording equipment. | Uses Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). |
| Facial Movements | Natural and synchronized with voice. | Often shows unnatural lip sync, delayed or mismatched mouth movement. |
| Eye Movements | Natural blinking, gaze shifts realistically. | Unnatural eye movement or no blinking; gaze may appear robotic or fixed. |
| Background Details | Consistent lighting, shadows, and motion with the subject. | Blurry or inconsistent backgrounds, sometimes objects get distorted or flicker. |
| Voice & Audio | Real voice, consistent tone and emotion. | May use voice cloning; tone/emotion may not match facial expression. |
| Purpose | News, education, communication, entertainment (truthful). | Can be used for satire, cinema, or misinformation, fraud, defamation. |
| Detection Difficulty | Easy to verify through sources and metadata. | Difficult; needs tools or forensic analysis to spot deepfake markers. |
| Ethical Concern | Minimal when shared responsibly. | High – can violate privacy, consent, or be used to spread fake news. |
| Legal Stand | Usually legal if no privacy laws are broken. | Many countries are introducing laws against deepfakes due to rising misuse. |
Real Life Deep Fake Incidents-
| Incident | Description | Impact |
| 1. Zelenskyy Deepfake (2022) | A fake video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy surfaced online during the Russia-Ukraine war, falsely showing him telling Ukrainian troops to surrender. | Used as a war propaganda tool; removed quickly, but raised concerns about deepfakes in conflict. |
| 2. Obama PSA Deepfake (2018) | Actor Jordan Peele created a deepfake video of Barack Obama to warn about misinformation, saying shocking things he never actually said. | Used for awareness, this example went viral and highlighted how easily leaders can be impersonated. |
| 3. Indian Politician Manoj Tiwari (2020) | During Delhi elections, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari’s deepfake video was released speaking in multiple languages, aimed at appealing to different voter groups. | First known political use of deepfakes in India, sparking debate over ethics in campaigning. |
| 4. Elon Musk Deepfake Scams | Deepfake videos of Elon Musk promoting fake crypto investment schemes were circulated on YouTube and social media. | Many users were duped into losing money, highlighting deepfakes in financial scams. |
| 5. Tom Cruise Deepfake (2021) | Viral TikTok videos of a fake Tom Cruise doing magic tricks and talking casually fooled millions. Created by a deepfake artist as a technical showcase. | Harmless in intent but sparked massive debate about celebrity impersonation and potential misuse. |
| 6. Chinese CEO Deepfake Fraud (2023) | A deepfake video call of a company’s CEO tricked an employee in China into transferring $25 million to scammers. | Real case of financial crime using real-time deepfake in a corporate setting. |
| 7. Taylor Swift Fake Explicit Videos (2024) | AI-generated fake nude images and videos of singer Taylor Swift went viral on social media platforms. | Huge outcry; raised urgent calls for deepfake laws to protect women and celebrities. |
Impact on Society-
| Aspect | Effect |
| Misinformation & Fake News | Spreads false narratives; can mislead public, especially during elections. |
| Reputation Damage | Targets individuals with fake videos/images, leading to defamation. |
| Threat to Democracy | Can manipulate political content and harm electoral processes. |
| Cybercrime & Fraud | Used to impersonate voices/faces for scams and financial fraud. |
| Legal Challenges | Undermines trust in video/audio evidence in court cases. |
| Psychological Impact | Victims may suffer from anxiety, fear, and social humiliation. |
| Positive Use: Entertainment | Used in movies to recreate actors or historical figures. |
| Positive Use: Education | Can create virtual tutors and engaging learning tools. |
| Need for Regulation | Urgent need for laws, detection tools, and digital awareness. |
“The Face that wasn’t Hers”-
There once was a young woman named Aarohi who lived in a busy Indian city.
She was self-assured, self-reliant, and active on social media, just like any other girl in the twenty-first century. She enjoyed sharing her poetry, pictures, and happy moments with her fans.
Aarohi woke up one morning to find more than 200 messages and 73 missed calls.
She opened her phone, half asleep and confused, and there it was.
A film. Her face. Her tone. But doing something she had never done before.
It was clear. False. However, it appeared genuine.
Nightmare
Her world fell apart in a matter of seconds.
Her family called. Her college pals gaped. Her professors had even witnessed it.
“It’s not me!” she cried.
However, if the video appears to be of you, how can you prove it’s not you?
That is a deepfake’s ruthless power.
More than Just a Fake Video
Reputation wasn’t the only consideration for Aarohi.
It concerned:
She didn’t deserve the shame.
judgment that she was powerless to challenge,
And even when she was by herself, there was a fear that gnawed at her.
She dropped out of college.
ceased making new friends.
ceased to be herself.
Not because of anything she did, but rather because of what technology did to her, her laughter vanished.
Hidden Crime Against Women
Aarohi is not by herself.
Deepfakes are targeting thousands of women, including schoolgirls, journalists, and celebrities:
They used Instagram to take their pictures.
faces inserted into phony pornographic videos,
and then spread to embarrass, silence, or extort them.
This goes beyond cyberbullying.
It’s violence on the internet.
It’s traumatizing assault without physical contact.
Fight Back
Aarohi made the decision to speak up.
She complained to the police.
She made contact with cybercrime cells.
She raised awareness by sharing her story.
She also advises other women today:
“My face wasn’t in that video. However, the suffering it brought about was genuine.
I refuse to let technology silence me. You shouldn’t either.
Message
We need more voices, smarter technology, and stricter laws.
Every girl needs to learn how to safeguard her digital identity just as she would her physical one.
Because every Aarohi deserves to live in a world where she is respected, heard, and feels safe, both online and offline.
Conclusion-
Deepfakes blur the distinction between illusion and reality by using artificial intelligence to produce incredibly lifelike but phony audio, video, and image content. Although they can be used for entertainment, their darker side includes threats to women’s safety, fraud, misinformation, and political manipulation.
The tale of Aarohi, a young woman whose life was upended by a deepfake video, demonstrates how this technology can be used to perpetrate digital violence, leading to social isolation and emotional distress.
Deepfakes are becoming a bigger problem, posing as leaders and taking advantage of women. To guarantee safety and truth in the virtual world, the article advocates for tougher regulations, more intelligent technological tools, and increased digital awareness.
Because every Aarohi deserves to live in a world where she is respected, heard, and feels safe, both online and offline.