Technology & Online Safety
When talking about Technology & Online Safety, the set of tools, practices and awareness needed to stay secure while using digital devices and internet services. Also known as digital safety, it includes everything from strong passwords to spotting a fake video. One of the biggest headaches right now is deepfake, AI‑crafted audio or video that mimics real people convincingly. Platforms like TikTok, a short‑form video app with billions of active users worldwide have become playgrounds for these realistic forgeries, especially when they’re used in AI‑generated endorsements, automated promotional messages that appear to come from a real influencer. Understanding how these pieces fit together is the first step toward safer browsing.
In practice, Technology & Online Safety encompasses the detection of deepfakes, the evaluation of AI‑generated content, and the enforcement of online advertising rules. It requires a mix of tech tools—like reverse‑image search, metadata analysis, and AI‑driven verification services—and good habits, such as double‑checking URLs and questioning overly polished influencer posts. Online safety regulations, government and platform policies designed to curb deceptive practices influence how quickly a scam spreads; stronger rules can limit the reach of fake ads, while weak enforcement lets them go viral. TikTok, for instance, influences the spread of deepfake ads because its algorithm pushes trending content to millions in minutes, making it a fast lane for fraudsters. Meanwhile, AI‑generated endorsements blur the line between genuine recommendations and paid promotion, forcing users to develop a skeptical eye.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of stories, guides and alerts that drill down into these topics. Expect real‑world examples of deepfake scams, step‑by‑step tips for verifying influencer claims, and updates on platform policy changes that affect your daily scroll. Whether you’re a casual viewer, a creator, or someone who just wants to keep their data safe, the posts ahead will give you actionable insights to stay ahead of the next fake wave.
Kieran Lockhart
TikTok deepfake scam: Fake Molly‑Mae perfume ads duped fans
A convincing deepfake campaign on TikTok used Molly‑Mae Hague’s likeness to push a perfume called Nyla, tricking fans into buying it. The videos stitched old clips with AI‑cloned voice to fake endorsements. Similar tactics targeted other reality TV personalities. The case exposes gaps in platform enforcement and ad rules as AI-driven fake celebrity endorsements spread fast.
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