YouTube Takes Down Over 1,000 Deepfake Scam Ads

The platform acts against fraudulent ads using AI-generated celebrity likenesses, as lawmakers propose penalties for such misuse.

YouTube has removed over a thousand ads that used AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities to promote scams.
The fraudulent ads, which had collectively gained 200 million views, used the likenesses of Taylor Swift, Joe Rogan, and Steve Harvey to pitch a Medicare-related scam.
YouTube is investing in new ways to detect and investigate such scams, and has taken action against the associated accounts.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has unveiled the No AI FRAUD Act, which would impose penalties for using a person’s AI-generated likeness or voice without permission.
Experts advise maintaining a healthy skepticism and verifying the source of any celebrity-endorsed content, especially if it seems out of character or promotes products, investments, or requests personal information.