Scammers are leveraging AI-generated videos of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rihanna to promote dubious services on TikTok, as reported by authentication company Copyleaks. These ads often depict celebrities in interview scenarios, such as red carpets, podcasts, or talk shows, using manipulated real footage with AI. Many advertisements promote rewards programs that claim users can earn money by watching TikTok content and providing feedback. Although TikTok’s official branding is visible in some ads, users are redirected to third-party services that request personal information.
One advertisement features a realistic AI avatar of Swift encouraging users to sign up for a feature called TikTok Pay, while another features a fake Rihanna stating, “you literally just watch content and give your opinion.” This situation highlights the ongoing struggle social platforms face with the rise of convincing deepfakes, a growing problem for users. TikTok is not alone, as reports indicate that users of Meta’s platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, encounter billions of scam ads daily. Meta’s oversight board has also acknowledged a deepfake issue, and YouTube is reported to be “investing heavily” in efforts to combat celebrity scam ads.
Celebrities are also seeking new methods to counteract this issue. For instance, last week, Swift filed new trademark applications for clips of her voice to protect against AI impersonations.