Tom, (t)Hanks for Policing the Internet

Tom, (t)Hanks for Policing the Internet

Dear Tom, 

Thank you for telling Americans not to believe a digital word you say.  As you are unfortunately aware, the misuse of AI-generated celebrity likenesses to scam people has officially gone through the roof. You and I both know that celebrities plus Artificial Intelligence (AI) equals deceived consumers, placing all of our health and bank accounts at risk.  My friend Dottie Hinson just lost more than $7,000 from an online attack and my neighbor Ira Lowenstein puked after he took health pills he bought from an online promotion. He didn’t die though – which is good.

You recently voiced your concerns over the unauthorized use of your likeness to promote health products online. Some of us know that these ads were created without your consent, using AI to generate realistic images and voice simulations.  

I especially liked your Instagram post when you said, “DO NOT BE FOOLED. DO NOT BE SWINDLED. DO NOT LOSE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY.”  It reminded me of something that Jack Dugan from Penny Marshall’s amazing film “A League of Their Own” would say.  Instead of stealing bases, like we did in the 40’s, their stealing credit cards and online credentials.

In fact, I would go further and say – “Don’t believe anything you read on the Internet.  Computer algorithms and AI are tracking you, separating you into cohorts (especially senior citizens, teens, and veterans), and then using your own electrical power and mobile phones to target you with crime”.  

It seems wild that someone can steal your trust with fans to hurt people.  I can tell that you care about your fans.  Please know that you are not alone – other superstars that I like including Selena Gomez, Dolly Parton, Elon Musk, and Taylor Swift are all in your same situation.  

Anyway, I want to make you aware of a new derivative of malvertising, dubbed CelebCore.  It also utilizes celebrity images in ad campaigns. They lead consumers to deceptive websites – it burns me up. These campaigns are sophisticated, employing cloaking techniques to evade detection by the platforms they run on (Meta, Google, etc) and even security companies, meanwhile they hyper-target victims based on geography and persona.  I see them every day on websites and apps, but then I know what to look for.  This is not a “newsflash”, like Doris Hinson would say, because you and I know that new AI-Generated crime proliferates daily on the Internet.

Tom – sincere thanks – if you want to scale protecting people from all celebrities on the Internet then please call me – we could use the help.

Regards,

Mae Mordabito and Walter Harvey, Co-Chapter Leads Proxywar-e, Virginia, USA

PS:  Have you seen the Beekeeper?  That’s us.  If you have Jason Statham on speed dial please bring him along – he knows what we are talking about.

I bet you’ve wondered the same thing as me - that relying on an actor to fight actual crime on the Internet begs the question – where are the tech platforms and governments?  Between you and me, I know the answer - while retirement communities burn and kids ship fentanyl to their houses, our technocrats are onstage at a cybersecurity conference in Aspen discussing how to protect “networks” and “endpoints” from malware.  Endpoints – the _____ (insert definition_ – from malware! 🤦🏽

Scammers exploit the credibility of celebrities by using AI to create fake endorsements that feature doctored videos and audio clips that mimic reality.

As enticing as these offers may seem, especially when they appear to come from a trusted celebrity figure, they frequently lead to scams.

Since 2023, we have seen impersonations of public figures such as 

The Broader Impact of Misleading Endorsements

The misuse of celebrity endorsements extends beyond individual scams. It has broader implications for political advertising and the spread of misinformation. As we approach the 2024 elections, there is a heightened risk that such tactics will be employed to sway public opinion or influence voter behavior. 

Hanks' warning underscores a broader issue: the ease with which digital personas can be hijacked and used to mislead the public. Our approach involves a continuous analysis of online behaviors and trends to better identify scams, particularly those utilizing advanced cloaking technologies. By continuously refining our detection methods, we contribute to a safer digital ecosystem, aiming to uphold the trust and safety of publishers, adtech clients, and consumers alike. 

This proactive stance on digital integrity is essential for sustaining the confidence that stakeholders place in the digital ecosystem.

Strengthening Digital Trust Requires Collaboration

The fight against digital fraud is an ongoing battle that demands a multifaceted approach. It involves staying vigilant against emerging threats, leveraging advanced ad scanning solutions, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders in the digital advertising ecosystem. By building awareness and continuously enhancing protective measures, we can work together to uphold the integrity of digital advertising and shield consumers from the dangers of online scams. This calls for a renewed commitment to trust and safety in the advertising space. 

At Proxy-ware, our focus extends beyond merely reacting to deceptive practices; our team works 24/7 to preemptively detect and mitigate emerging threats.