---
title: "Deepfakes Pose Risks for Consumers and Voters"
url: https://newscentral.site/deepfakes-pose-risks-for-consumers-and-voters/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Business"
published: 2026-10-29T19:45:44.000Z
updated: 2026-10-30T04:49:12.220Z
id: 765723d3-0873-4c7a-8806-f831e08f44b4
source: "CBS MoneyWatch https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deepfakes-artificial-intelligence-consumer-risks-fraud/"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/deepfakes-pose-risks-for-consumers-and-voters/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Deepfakes Pose Risks for Consumers and Voters

Security experts warn that deepfakes featuring public figures can be used to manipulate people's perceptions and actions.

Advances in artificial intelligence have made it increasingly easy to create deepfake images, videos, and audio recordings, raising concerns that malicious individuals could use these hyper-realistic forgeries to deceive consumers and voters alike.

Security experts warn that deepfakes featuring public figures, including celebrities or political candidates, can be particularly effective at spreading disinformation. These convincing forgeries can be used in various ways to manipulate people's perceptions and actions.

Doppel co-founder Kevin Tian noted that a test showed only 8% of people were able to identify an AI agent as the caller, while the remaining 92% believed they were speaking with a human being.

The potential for deepfakes to deceive voters is especially alarming in the lead-up to elections, where AI-generated advertisements featuring manipulated images or audio recordings of politicians have already begun surfacing on social media.

The use of AI-generated advertisements is on the rise in this year's midterm elections, with spending reaching a significant milestone compared to previous cycles. According to Erika Franklin Fowler, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, the 2026 midterms have seen substantial investments in AI-created ads, far exceeding the less than $50,000 spent in the 2024 cycle.

The lack of transparency surrounding these AI-generated ads is a major concern, as creators often fail to disclose that their content was produced using artificial intelligence. This can lead to confusion and mistrust among voters, who may not be aware of the manipulation involved in creating these advertisements.

Experts warn that the ease with which deepfakes can be generated and deployed poses significant risks, particularly for consumers and voters. Raul Liive, a deepfake expert at Veriff, notes that the process of creating deepfake data is becoming increasingly effortless, making it easier to deceive people through AI-generated content.

The rise of deepfake technology has made it easier to create convincing fake data, allowing scammers to deceive people more effortlessly than ever before. This ease of use has led to a surge in deepfake-related fraud attempts against businesses, with Veriff documenting a 300% increase this year compared to 2025.

Bad actors are exploiting the tech to target unsuspecting consumers and businesses alike. One common tactic involves creating fake medical emergencies to scam people out of money. A caller might claim to have an urgent medical bill that needs immediate payment, using the fear of financial loss to manipulate their victim.

Research conducted by Veriff has shown that deepfakes pose a significant threat to individuals who struggle to spot them. In one test, 70% of participants misidentified a deepfake video as being real. The telltale signs that often gave away deepfakes in the past, such as unnatural features or anomalies in appearance, are increasingly being eliminated from AI-generated content.

As a result, people are turning to unreliable visual cues to identify deepfakes, but these too are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to spot. For example, scammers may use AI to create convincing images with natural-looking skin, hair, or teeth, making it even harder for consumers to distinguish between what's real and what's fake.

The threat of AI deepfakes extends beyond consumers and can also erode trust in legitimate content. This concern was highlighted by experts who pointed to a recent incident involving Senator Mitch McConnell's photo being released while he was hospitalized.

A photo of the senator posing with his wife from his hospital bed sparked speculation that he had passed away, but it turned out to be genuine. The incident serves as an example of how AI-generated content can undermine public confidence in what they see and read, ultimately affecting trust in legitimate sources.

---
Source: [CBS MoneyWatch](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deepfakes-artificial-intelligence-consumer-risks-fraud/)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/deepfakes-pose-risks-for-consumers-and-voters/