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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider THE DARK SIDE OF CELEBRITY: How technology is raping PH entertainment

THE DARK SIDE OF CELEBRITY: How technology is raping PH entertainment

Published Jan 27, 2021 05:11 pm

Pop quiz, hot shot: What do Ivana Alawi, Anne Curtis, Liza Soberano, Kathryn Bernardo and Maine Mendoza have in common?

While most of us would answer simply they’re all celebrities, a growing segment of the population will mention them being among stars who have been embroiled in the now notorious “deepfakes” phenomenon.

If it sounds sinister, it’s because, well, it is.

Deepfakes are videos that use artificial intelligence called deep learning to swap images of people, usually celebs, with another.

Sounds far out? Well, Virginia...

Anyway, a lot of these videos are actually pornographic too and as such many women’s group are crying foul deeming it another “weapon” against them.

They have a point.

Imagine having your face super-imposed on someone doing some unholy act and displaying it to the world.

Embarrassing?

Degrading?

Bloodcurdling?

All of the above?

The most infuriating thing about it is we seemingly can’t do anything about it.

At least for now.

Sadly, in a world that has become more and more digitally-entrenched, the technology, as harmful as it is, looks very much like it is here to stay.

It might even be tweaked to the point that it will make reel vs. real more confusing than ever.

Believe it.

Deepfakes already made headlines around these parts several weeks back when Mendoza, her mom, as with her manager, trooped to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to complain about her image being used in these videos.

The NBI promised to look into the complaint.

The agency said the person or persons responsible for said videos could be hauled to court in violation of the Anti-Voyeurism Act, the Safe Spaces Act, as well as for cyber libel, unjust vexation, and identity theft.

So far, no suspects.

Indeed, as popular as Mendoza is, it seems that her complaint is not enough for the powers that be to actually crack the whip on the matter.

Abroad, there are already tech firms working on systems that would help detect and flag deepfakes.

When will we work on something similar?

Meanwhile, in related developments, Sue Ramirez and Maris Racal were “disrobed” recently by some no-good individuals, posting their handiwork on social media, to the chagrin of the two stars as with their home network, ABS-CBN.

The rape of local entertainment continues.

Related Tags

Cybercrime Liza Soberano Maine Mendoza deepfakes
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