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TikTok and other online networks are featuring AI-generated deepfake videos of doctors whose statements have been altered to promote supplements and circulate false medical claims.

The Investigation

An investigative group has discovered hundreds of such videos including digital copies of doctors and influencers pointing users to a US-based wellness company.

Each of the deepfakes involve authentic video of a medical authority sourced from the internet. However, the visuals and sound have been reworked so that the speakers are urging women going through menopause to buy products such as gut health supplements from the company’s website.

“This is certainly a sinister and worrying new tactic,” stated the investigator who undertook the investigation.

Professionals Impersonated

Prof David Taylor-Robinson is one of the individuals whose image has been misused. He was surprised to discover that doctored videos claiming to depict him endorsing items with unverified claims were being hosted online.

Although he is a specialist in children’s health, in a particular clip the digital impersonation of him was discussing an supposed symptom. The fake version suggested that individuals visit a website and buy a supplement featuring herbal ingredients chosen to tackle menopausal symptoms.

“It was really confusing to begin with – entirely bizarre,” the real professional commented. “I didn’t feel desperately violated, but I did become more and more irritated at the idea of people marketing goods off the back of my reputation and the health misinformation being spread.”

Platform Response

The social network took down the content a period of time after reports were made. “Initially, they indicated some of the videos violated their guidelines but some were fine. That was absurd – and strange,” the professional stated.

The factcheckers also identified similar deepfakes on other major platforms, all connected with the aforementioned supplements business.

Company Statement

The firm in question stated to researchers that synthetic content directing individuals to access its site were “completely unrelated” with its operations. It claimed it had “never used AI-generated content”, but “is unable to monitor partners globally”.

Political and Regulatory Calls

Lawmakers have said that “From fraudulent physicians to bots that encourage suicide, artificial intelligence is being deployed to exploit vulnerable individuals.”

“If these were people deceptively posing to be medical doctors they would face criminal prosecution. How is the online version being tolerated?” they questioned.

There are demands for synthetic impersonations masquerading as medical professionals to be “eradicated”, with verified medical resources strongly promoted.

Industry-Wide Challenge

A spokesperson for the video-sharing app commented: “Harmfully misleading AI-generated content is an problem across the tech sector, and we continue to invest in new ways to detect and remove content that violates our community guidelines.”