Our Approach to Preventing Deepfake Scams: The Armstrong Incident
How IdentifAI Could Have Protected a CEO Against a Deepfake Attack
In our ongoing mission to safeguard the integrity of digital content, IdentifAI recently identified a deepfake scam that used the image of Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, to propagate a cryptocurrency scam across YouTube. This disturbing incident highlights the critical need for advanced solutions to pre-emptively address these sophisticated threats. Below, we outline how IdentifAI's proactive solution could have prevented this scam before it reached its victims.
The Importance of Proactivity
Deepfakes are like wildfires. Once a deepfake is detected and exposed, it has likely already spread far and wide, causing irreparable harm. Preventing a fire from starting is far more effective than trying to extinguish it after it has engulfed a forest. Similarly, it is more efficient to preemptively identify and mitigate digital threats before they have the opportunity to proliferate and inflict widespread damage. This is why IdentifAI champions a proactive approach, leveraging cutting-edge technology to prevent deepfake content from gaining traction.
Our Solution
Our product combines the latest in AI and machine learning with a deep understanding of digital security threats. Here's how our system could have preempted the recent deepfake scam.
By securing official photographs of Brian Armstrong with our firewall, any attempt to create a deepfake for the scam would have encountered a formidable barrier. Below are examples of an original photo of Brian (left) and our photographic firewall-applied photo (right) being used as a state-of-the-art video conferencing deepfake.
Original Original + IdentifAI Protection
The first thing to note is that the quality of the original image and protected image remains the same. Second, there is a significant drop off in the quality of the deepfake once our protective layer is applied. Due to this, adversaries would not be able to execute an effective scam given the right side version of the deepfake is incredibly inaccurate and does not resemble Armstrong whatsoever.
Therefore, by using IdentifAI’s photographic firewall, high-profile executives are able to proactively prevent their likeliness from being used in scams such as this one!
https://x.com/Zeneca/status/1764367864939573425?s=20
Moving Forward with Vigilance and Innovation
The recent scam is a stark reminder of the sophistication of digital threats in today's world. However, it also reinforces the potential of proactive solutions to safeguard digital integrity. IdentifAI's commitment to innovation and security is unwavering. We continue to refine our technologies, expanding our monitoring capabilities, and strengthening our partnerships with digital platforms.
The future of digital content security relies on anticipatory measures. As we look ahead, IdentifAI remains dedicated to leading the charge against deepfake deception, ensuring a safer digital environment for all.
- Justin Marciano and Paul Vann, Cofounders of IdentifAI