Singapore PM Lee warns of ‘very convincing’ deepfakes ‘spreading disinformation’ after fake video of him emerges

Referring to a fake video of him endorsing cryptocurrency, Lee warns the ‘use of deepfake technology to spread disinformation will continue to grow’.

As deepfakes would become more realistic with time, tech analysts advise the public to be more aware of the evolving threat

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his visit at the South African Parliament in Cape Town on May 16, 2023. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:23pm, 29 Dec 2023Updated: 8:44pm, 29 Dec 2023

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his second-in-command Lawrence Wong have warned the public against deepfake videos depicting them that have emerged in recent days, underlining the great concern that authorities have about the harmful implications of these digitally altered videos.

Deepfakes are videos created using artificial intelligence (AI) and face swapping to depict events, statements or actions that have not happened in reality.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Lee wrote that videos of him and Wong are “very convincing but completely bogus”, and urged Singaporeans not to respond to the “scam videos” that have promised guaranteed returns on investments or giveaways.

“The use of deepfake technology to spread disinformation will continue to grow. We must remain vigilant and learn to protect ourselves and our loved ones against such scams. Thanks to alert Singaporeans who took the time to flag this to me,” Lee said.

In one altered video, Lee appears to be interviewed by a presenter from Chinese news network CGTN, where they discuss an investment proposal that promises “hands-free cryptocurrency trading with a track record of success”.

Alfred Siew, the co-founder of tech website Techgundu, said, “The fact that the prime minister himself has come out to address this says that he is extremely alarmed that people might be deceived by this.”

A similar video of Wong promoting investment scams was also circulating on social media just days prior, according to a report by government-funded broadsheet The Straits Times.

Singapore PM Lee warns of ‘very convincing’ deepfakes ‘spreading disinformation’ after fake video of him emerges

Referring to a fake video of him endorsing cryptocurrency, Lee warns the ‘use of deepfake technology to spread disinformation will continue to grow’. As deepfakes would become more realistic with time, tech analysts advise the public to be more aware of the evolving threat

Referring to a fake video of him endorsing cryptocurrency, Lee warns the ‘use of deepfake technology to spread disinformation will continue to grow’.

As deepfakes would become more realistic with time, tech analysts advise the public to be more aware of the evolving threat