Creating deepfakes – here’s how

Deepfakes are computer-generated videos or images that you can create to manipulate human faces or voices to make them look deceptively real. For example, they make it possible to replace celebrities or other people in videos without it being obvious.

How to create deepfakes

Deepfakes can be funny, especially among friends, and have meme potential. However, be aware that deepfakes can also have legal consequences. If you want to create deepfakes yourself, choose a software or a platform on the internet that is suitable for creating the manipulated images or videos.

• Examples include DeepFaceLab, FakeApp or Deepfake web app.

• Collect picture or video recordings of the person you want to use in your Deepfake. The more shots you have, the better the result.

• Use the selected software to isolate and analyse the person’s faces in the shots.

• Select a target video or image into which you want to insert the person’s face.

• Use the software to insert and adjust the person’s face in the target video or image.

Dangers & legal regulations of DeepFakes

Deepfakes can be used to spread false or misleading information, which can lead not only to defamation but also to political manipulation.

• There is also the risk of deepfakes being used to portray someone in a sexually explicit or embarrassing situation, which can be seen as an invasion of privacy.

• In many countries, there are no specific laws regulating deepfakes. However, in some countries the dissemination of deepfakes may be considered an infringement of copyright or personal rights.

• It is permitted to create deepfakes in art, satire, parody or for journalistic purposes. However, in some countries, such as Austria, laws are being considered to regulate and prohibit the creation and dissemination of deepfakes. However, this may also have implications for freedom of expression and creative freedom.

• It is important to act ethically and responsibly when creating and disseminating deepfakes and to ensure that they are not used to harm or affect others.

• Also, make sure that the source of a deepfake is clearly marked to alert viewers that it is a manipulated representation.