Why Are Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Jenner, and Taylor Swift Targeted?

Have you ever stumbled upon those bizarre videos circulating on social media, featuring your favorite celebrities like Sydney Sweeney or Tom Hanks? They seem to be promoting some products, but something feels off. Perhaps it’s the unsettling synchronization between their mouths and the words they’re saying, or maybe you’re skeptical about Hanks endorsing a dubious-looking medication you’ve never heard of.

Your suspicions are valid. With the rise of artificial intelligence technology, celebrities are increasingly exploited in AI-generated deepfake videos and images, often for insidious scams. These impersonations are used to promote products that the celebrities have never actually endorsed. Recently, cybersecurity company McAfee released a report highlighting the most commonly used celebrity likenesses in such fraudulent activities over the past year.

Scarlett Johansson tops McAfee’s list, which is particularly noteworthy given her outspoken opposition to non-consensual AI-generated content. Johansson revealed that OpenAI had approached her for her voice to be used in their robotic assistant technology. However, she declined the offer, which led OpenAI to create a sound-alike voice for a demo before deciding to scrap it following Johansson’s threat of legal action.

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Other notable names on the list include Kylie Jenner, Taylor Swift, and Tom Hanks. In August, Hanks took to Instagram to warn his followers about AI fakes misusing his likeness to promote dubious medications. He expressed his frustration about unauthorized ads claiming, “There are multiple ads over the internet falsely using my name, likeness, and voice promoting miracle cures and wonder drugs.” He emphasized that he had no association with these misleading products and even reiterated, “DO NOT BE FOOLED. DO NOT BE SWINDLED. DO NOT LOSE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY.”

The exploitation of celebrity likenesses is primarily about profit, as scammers capitalize on the fame of well-known individuals.

Here’s a breakdown of McAfee’s list, along with their explanations:

1. Scarlett Johansson: Actress and singer whose likeness has been exploited without permission for advertisements, known advocate against non-consensual AI-generated content.
2. Kylie Jenner: Reality star and influencer targeted for social media giveaway scams and fake Kylie Cosmetics products.
3. Taylor Swift: Singer misused for endorsement scams related to tickets and products, also linked to disinformation efforts.
4. Anya Taylor-Joy: Actress exploited in scamming efforts and misinformation regarding her streaming series.
5. Tom Hanks: Actor misrepresented to endorse false “miracle cures.”
6. Sabrina Carpenter: Singer caught up in fake ticket scams and unauthorized advertisement of an explicit image creation app.
7. Sydney Sweeney: Actress used in fraudulent crypto schemes.
8. Blake Lively: Actress whose likeness was misappropriated in weight loss gummy scams.
9. Johnny Depp: Actor featured in various scams including giveaways and cryptocurrencies.
10. Addison Rae: Actress and singer exploited for fake endorsements and crypto scams.

Interestingly, one celebrity frequently encountered in scams yet not listed is Elon Musk. Numerous consumer complaints lodged with the FTC earlier this year confirm that scammers have been leveraging Musk’s face in numerous deceptive crypto ventures.

As AI technology advances, the line between real and fabricated content is becoming increasingly blurred. McAfee warns that it will soon be challenging to differentiate between genuine endorsements and deepfakes. Users must remain vigilant and exercise critical thinking skills when encountering celebrity endorsements online.

“In a world where celebrity news is ubiquitous, people often prioritize convenience over safety, clicking on suspicious links for celebrity content,” said Abhishek Karnik, McAfee’s Head of Threat Research, in a recent statement. “However, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it merits scrutiny. As cybercriminals deploy advanced AI tools for more convincing scams, the associated risks are escalating, with celebrity names serving as bait for unsuspecting consumers. Staying alert is crucial.”