Cyber Security Spotlight: Deepfakes

What are deepfakes?

Deepfakes are realistic but false images, videos, or audio clips that have been digitally manipulated. Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), deepfakes can make it look and sound like someone said or did something they never did – often to mislead or deceive.

Spotting a deepfake

Because deepfake technology evolves quickly, it’s getting harder to spot what’s real and what’s not. Knowing the red flags can help you protect yourself online.

Common signs to look for include:

• Unnatural movements – are the person’s gestures stiff, robotic, or is there too much or too little blinking?
• Pixelation or blurring – is there noticeable distortion around the eyes, mouth, or edges of the face?
• Poorly synced audio – do the lip movements match the sound, or is there a delay?
• Unnatural voice cadence – does the voice sound flat, robotic, or inconsistent?
• Distorted or asymmetrical facial features – do the features look off, especially during expressions or head movements?
• Mismatch between emotion and speech – does the person’s tone match their facial expressions and body language?
• Inconsistencies across the video – are there glitches, lighting changes, or sudden drops in quality?

If something feels off, pause and double check the source before trusting or sharing it.