Viktor Underwood, CEO at Quickchannel, warns deepfakes have the power to disrupt and damage trust in broadcasting
By Contributor
Published: July 29, 2021
Viktor Underwood, CEO at Quickchannel, warns deepfakes have the power to disrupt and damage trust in broadcasting
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
The internet has already got a taste of the disruptive power of deep fake technology, i.e. manipulated video clips that reproduce fabricated images and audio that appear to be real. Some deep fakes' have already become viral hits on social media, whether it's a clip of a comedian morphing into a movie star on a talk show or a global leader using some colourful language to describe a political opponent.
While the former is a great example of how deep fakes can be used for entertainment, the latter offers a more chilling view of how this sophisticated AI-powered technology can be used for more nefarious purposes, such as seminating disinformation and undermining trust in governments.
The prospects become all the more concerning if one were to consider deep fakes' power to take fake news' to the next level it wouldn't be out of place to expect popular news broadcast stations to get the deep fake treatment, whereby falsified newscasts are produced and shared across social media. When viewed through this lens, it becomes clear why combating the rise of deep fakes is set to be a defining trend in the broadcasting industry.
Seeing is believing Back in June 2020, Sensity, a deep fake detection technology firm, identified over 49,000 deep fake videos online a staggering increase of more than 330% since July 2019. A study conducted by Nanyang Technological University found that one in three Singaporeans who said they were aware of deep fakes believed they had at one point circulated content on social media which they later found out to be a hoax.
What's most disconcerting about these findings is not so much the rate at which deep fake videos are multiplying, but rather how frequently viewers will believe what they see and how easily they will share it with their network. With the technology evolving at a rapid pace, it won't be long before deep fakes will be able to fool even the most alert viewers.
Channel 4 broadcast an alternative Christmas message delivered by a deepfake Queen in 2020 It's also worth noting that these challenges raise an important issue about trust and integrity when it comes to broadcasting content. Authenticity and transparency are becoming increasingly important values for the average individual on the internet, which means that preventive measures need to be put in place if we are to tackle the spread of fake content effectively.
Detection leads to deflection The good news is that measures are already being implemented to mitigate the damage that deep fakes are able to inflict. For example, Twitter has put policies in place that outlaw deep fake technology. As a result of these policies, the social media platform is able to tag any deep fake videos that have yet to be removed. YouTube on the other hand put a ban on deep fake videos related to the 2020 US Census, as well as election and voting procedures.
Detection and filtering software also has a fundamental role to play. Microsoft announced the availability of a tool to spot deep fakes back in September 2020, whereby the software analyses photos and videos to give a confidence score about whether the material is likely to have been artificially created. More recently, Facebook scientists revealed they can create software that reverse engineers deep fake images to understand how they were made and where they originated.
But perhaps the most effective preventive measure against fake content is actually to build viewer awareness. Growing volumes of fake content and continuous advances in technology are only set to make the task more difficult, so training people to spot telltale signs might actually yield more results than actively trying to contain the spread. Bad lip-syncing, lack of blinking, as well as unnatural eye movement and facial expressions are all key signs in helping to identify and flag deep fakes.
Apply a personal touch to your content At this point, it is clear that any form of video content has the potential to be deep faked', with varying degrees of efficacy. This presents a challenge considering that, following the events of 2020, people are only going to increasingly rely on secure, high-quality video streaming, while businesses capitalise on web-based media streaming to get their message heard.
This puts added pressure on video content tech companies, who are taking preventive measures against deep fakes by implementing consistent communication structures, centralised monitoring and effective detection practices. However, what some businesses might not appreciate yet is the value of investing in personalised video content as a means for tackling deep fakes. After all, in a world where widely available content can be altered with relative ease, personalising your broadcast content might just be the most effective way to tackle this issue.
One of the most common pieces of advice given today is to make sure that the content we consume comes from a reputable source. With the right tools, companies can apply their personal stamp by branding their content, before streaming it securely and to the highest level of quality to their customers, minimising the possibilities of interference and preserving trust in the company brand.
Finally, brands can go one step further and choose to manage their original video content in a secure, controlled manner by creating and maintaining a video library. For a company, leveraging a platform to organise video files is akin to having a branded content bank, with no risk of it being mi
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
06/06/2026
Check Out Leading Monitor Brands
We'll have monitors of all shapes and sizes at GearExpo UK, so whether you're looking to upgrade or expand your set...
06/06/2026
Two Originals offerings join MPC line-up
Following on from their partnership announcement at NAMM 2026, Spitfire Audio and Akai Pro have announced the relea...
05/06/2026
Built from the same recordings as flagship library
Sonuscore's LUX Orchestral Strings has been met with widespread praise since its launch in late 2025,...
05/06/2026
High-end converter, interface & headphone amp upgraded
Said to represent the next evolution of RME's all-in-one reference converter concept, the all-new...
05/06/2026
Win a Soundgas Type 636P & Type G preamps
Soundgas, one of the UK's leading vintage and boutique audio equipment specialists have just announced the lau...
05/06/2026
New leadership of Technology Systems Division at Rohde & Schwarz On July 1, 2026, Hansj rg Herrbold and Andreas H gele will take over as Executive Vice Presid...
05/06/2026
Hitachi and Intel announced a strategic collaboration to explore opportunities t...
05/06/2026
05 Jun 2026
VEON's Kyivstar to Expand Digital Mobility Ecosystem with Acqui...
05/06/2026
RT Radio 1 Folk Awards to take place on Tuesday 10th November 2026, Vicar Street, Dublin
Moya Brennan, D nal Lunny, Mary Black and Christy Moore among previou...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
04/06/2026
BackStory follows four Irish young people as they travel back to their parents' homelands
Modern Irish identity is enriched by cultures and influences from...
03/06/2026
Step sequencer-style panning tool revealed
Alongside their flagship self-titled sound-design platform, Sound Particles offer an array of creative effects an...
03/06/2026
Now features full H90 algorithm library
Eventide have announced the upcoming launch of the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, a new and improved version of their hugely p...
03/06/2026
Significant discount available until 1 October 2026
Aim Audio have just announced a promotion that sees a significant discount applied to their Essence micr...
03/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to supply CERTIUM advanced communications system to Memmingen Ai...
03/06/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
03/06/2026
RT confirms multi-channel and free to air coverage of the expanded tournament with enhanced digital features and the return of Total Football for young fans
S...
03/06/2026
03 Jun 2026
VEON to Release 2Q26 Earnings on July 31, 2026 Dubai and New York, June 3, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON or t...
03/06/2026
RT has today announced Heineken 0.0 as the broadcast sponsor of their FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
The sponsorship, brokered by Dentsu, will see Heineken 0....
02/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...
02/06/2026
Powerful new vocal-production tool announced
Described as a vocal performance station , Klevgrand's latest plug-in combines pitch-correction with harmo...
02/06/2026
Launched alongside Go Green sale extension
McDSP have just released the latest addition to their APB line-up, DC-2 Dual Compressor, and have also announced ...
02/06/2026
Create custom tools for Ableton Live 12 Suite
Ableton have just introduced a new open JavaScript toolkit that allows anyone to create their own custom tools...
02/06/2026
Now features full H90 algorithm library
Eventide have announced the upcoming launch of the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, a new and improved version of their hugely p...
02/06/2026
Plus UAD Half Yearly Sale now live
The latest arrival to the Universal Audio range delivers a new native pitch-correction plug-in that's capable of deli...
02/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to present comprehensive performance, conformance and spectrum-m...
02/06/2026
BTL Laboratory becomes Taiwan's first test house with a CTIA Certification c...
02/06/2026
If you've kept up with this article series, you know by now where to start w...
02/06/2026
With new DSP configurations and flexible licensing options, Calrec is removing the barriers to virtualised audio, giving broadcasters the freedom to scale produ...
02/06/2026
02 Jun 2026
VEON Closes USD 1.4 Billion Bond Offering, Refinancing 2027 Notes A...
02/06/2026
Praise for series three:
The Times - sun-dappled pleasure
The Daily Mail - The Homes Counties' Charlie's Angels
The Sun - 4* this [is an] enjoya...
02/06/2026
Wuppertal June 2, 2026
Gudrun Scharler Appointed CEO of Riedel Networks The Riedel Group today announced the appointment of Gudrun Scharler as CEO of Riedel N...
02/06/2026
Trust has become a commercial issue With global advertising spend forecast to exceed US$1 trillion this year*, the commercial consequences of weak governance co...
02/06/2026
June sees Ireland's cultural calendar in full bloom, as RT Supporting the Arts showcases a vibrant and wide-ranging programme spanning music, theatre, visu...
02/06/2026
After The Traitors Ireland launched in 2025, Irish audiences proved to have a taste for the global hit reality show. This Bank Holiday Monday fans can indulge e...
01/06/2026
Category line-up & sponsors announced
Photo: Paul Clarke
The Production Music Awards (PMA) have announced that submissions are now officially open ahead of...
01/06/2026
New hybrid sample/synthesis instrument revealed
Excite Audio have just released the latest instalment in their Evolve series, which has been developed in co...
01/06/2026
Latest TONEX expansion captures three rare vintage amps
The newest addition to IK Multimedia's ever-growing TONEX line-up introduces a set of three incr...
01/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...
01/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz Satellite Industry Days 2026 guided by the motto From Earth to ...
01/06/2026
Luxembourg, June 1, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, launched fast and reliable multi-orbit satelli...
01/06/2026
Mardi 2 juin 14h00
FilmLight (ARRI), 10 rue Ren Boulanger, 75010 Paris
Rejoignez-nous pour d couvrir comment FLAPI (l'API FilmLight) peut transformer e...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
29/05/2026
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify's global edito...
Viktor Underwood, CEO at Quickchannel, warns deepfakes have the power to disrupt and damage trust in broadcasting
