PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — These days, every smartphone can create a deepfake through an app that's easily downloaded and user-friendly.
"It's a big concern, and the problem is not new with respect to what people are doing, manipulating information to create some sort of false narrative. Whether that's a video, a picture, audio stream or text," Dr. Robert D'Ovidio, associate professor of criminology and justice studies at Drexel University told the KYW Newsradio In Depth podcast.
Some of his biggest concerns are cyberstalking, online harassment, and cyberbullying. He says the tricky part is that many states don't have clear laws on the books because the technology is so new.
"Not surprised at all that we saw this case recently in Bucks County where the cyberstalking or online harassment charges were levied against this adult women who tried to paint these teenage females in a negative light and attempt to harm their reputation," he said.
D'Ovidio stressed the importance of detection as deepfakes become widespread. He said one method is "SIFT": stop, investigate, find and trace.
"Most importantly trace your sources, are they reliable, do some background work if there is a question," he advised.
On the other side, D'Ovidio has seen popular apps like FaceApp going around and said that speaks volumes because it means creating a deepfake is "very, very user friendly."
"When the detection methods get better, the techniques get better. There are quick countermeasures that these tool creators put in place to combat or to defeat the countermeasures or the detection technology."