Lee Hsien Loong, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, has recently alerted the public about the resurgence of deepfake videos impersonating him. These videos falsely depict him commenting on international affairs, posing a significant risk to Singapore’s national interests. Lee emphasized the malicious intent behind these deepfakes, aimed at misleading viewers into believing false narratives attributed to him and the government.
This isn’t the first time Lee has been targeted by deepfake technology; earlier instances involved his image being used to promote fraudulent investment schemes. In response, Lee urged caution among the public, advising against sharing suspected deepfake videos and instead encouraging reporting them directly on platform apps. He stressed the importance of verifying the authenticity of videos before assuming their validity, directing viewers to official channels for reliable information.
Lee highlighted the advancing capabilities of AI-driven deepfake technology, which now mimics voices and synchronizes mouth movements with audio to create highly deceptive content. He underscored the need for vigilance against these sophisticated scams, cautioning against the allure of too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities purportedly endorsed by public figures. Lee’s proactive approach aims to protect the public from falling victim to digital impersonation tactics designed to exploit trust and manipulate perceptions.