YouTube is rolling out a tool to detect deepfake videos, which should allow users to see any clips using their facial features.
YouTube is making likeness detection available to more people. It is a new feature allowing users to find videos featuring synthetic faces of real individuals created with generative artificial intelligence. Creators who joined the program first tested the tool, and YouTube later expanded access to public figures and journalists.
What Is YouTube Likeness Detection?
YouTube is introducing a new system for finding altered videos. To start using the system, users will need to go through face scan and ID verification. After that, they will receive results through YouTube Studio and will be able to check potential matches and report videos violating YouTube’s privacy policy.
The feature allows comparing uploaded clips to face scans performed before signing up for the program. YouTube promises users to have better control over the usage of their likeness online.
Why YouTube Is Expanding the Feature
The developers of YouTube’s likeness detection feature claim that the company has been working on the product for about two years. At first, only a certain number of creators was allowed to use the tool, but later the company expanded the access to journalists, politicians, sports people, and other public figures.
Now YouTube is offering the possibility of participating in this program to everyone aged 18 and above. It means that all YouTube users will gradually get access to this tool within several weeks.
How the Tool Protects Users
There has been an increasing trend towards creating deepfakes by using generative artificial intelligence. People can make videos featuring themselves saying things that they haven’t said or doing something that wasn’t actually done.
YouTube’s new tool could assist users:
- To find potentially malicious videos
- To analyze potential deepfake videos
- To report privacy violation easily
It is important to mention that YouTube’s likeness detection won’t allow users to remove videos with their images from the platform. Instead, the tool is aimed at assisting users with detecting potential violations of YouTube’s privacy policy.
Why Does YouTube’s Initiative Matter for Social Media?
Generative AI has increased the risks of impersonation on social media recently. The social networks are increasingly under pressure to develop better tools for preventing this kind of abuse.
Since the problem becomes more relevant, YouTube’s decision could inspire other social media companies to improve users’ likeness protection.
Final Thoughts
YouTube’s new initiative will help users avoid impersonation risks on the platform. With generative AI becoming more sophisticated every day, likeness detection tools may become crucial soon for protecting people from malicious content and misusing the image online.
