Imagine seeing a doctor you trust recommend a miracle cure, only to find out later that they never said it! This is the terrifying reality of “deepfakes” invading TikTok and exploiting experts’ images to scam patients.
Article contents:
- Introduction
- Shocking investigation findings
- Professor David Taylor-Robinson’s story
- Wellness Nest company
- Platform and politician reactions
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction
TikTok and other social media platforms are hosting hundreds of videos created using deepfake technology, featuring doctors and health experts speaking words they never uttered in order to sell dietary supplements and spread misleading health information. An investigation by fact-checking organization Full Fact has revealed the scale of this concerning phenomenon.
Shocking investigation findings
The investigation found hundreds of videos impersonating doctors and influencers, directing viewers to a US-based supplement company called Wellness Nest. All of these videos use real footage of health experts taken from the internet, but the video and audio have been manipulated to make the speakers appear as though they are encouraging women going through menopause to purchase unproven products.
Professor David Taylor-Robinson’s story
Professor David Taylor-Robinson, an expert in health inequalities at the University of Liverpool, was one of the victims. In August, he was surprised to find 14 fake videos of himself on TikTok. Although he specializes in child health, his deepfake clone appeared talking about a supposed menopause side effect called “thermometer leg” and recommending Wellness Nest products.
Taylor-Robinson said: “I didn’t feel a severe violation of my privacy, but I became increasingly disturbed by the idea of people being sold products based on my work and being implicated in misleading health information.” The original footage was taken from a 2017 lecture he gave on vaccination and a parliamentary hearing.
Wellness Nest company
Wellness Nest told Full Fact that the fake videos “have 100% nothing to do” with its business, that it has never used artificial intelligence, but that it “cannot control affiliate marketers around the world.” Nevertheless, the videos spread widely across X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Platform and politician reactions
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan said: “From fake doctors to suicide bots, AI is being used to exploit the vulnerable.” She called for criminal prosecution for those who profit from medical disinformation. For its part, TikTok stated that it removed the content for violating its harmful misinformation and impersonation rules, emphasizing that AI-generated misleading content is an industry-wide challenge.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a doctor’s video is real?
Check lip movement, audio quality, and look for the doctor’s official account to verify the advice.
Why are real doctors targeted?
To leverage their credibility and people’s trust in them to sell questionable commercial products.
What is the stance of platforms like TikTok?
Their policies prohibit misinformation and impersonation, but they face difficulty in quickly detecting and removing the vast amount of fake content.
