4 master keys to detect a deepfake

Although the technology to develop deepfakes is still in a fairly primitive state, it is already possible to create these types of videos from the mobile with relative ease . Do you think you would be able to detect one of these deepfakes? The truth is that if they are done in the right way they can go through a real video without too many problems, although there are always some other practically imperceptible detail that gives them away.

In essence, a deepfake – ” deep deception ” in English – is a creation or digital content that has been manipulated by artificial intelligence. This is usually applied to videos and GIFs, although this is a technology that is also used to generate fake audios and images.

Deepfakes also work with video games.

4 clues to help you detect a deepfake

As we say, this technology is still at a very young age, although it is already accessible to everyone. Luckily, that also means that if you don’t do it adeptly enough, a bad deepfake is pretty obvious. But what happens when it is not? In this case we have to look at the nuances: the key is always in the small details.

1- Discoloration on the skin

One of the first aspects that we have to review before a possible manipulated video: Look for color changes in the protagonist’s face. The perfect deepfake requires the actor who impersonates the original to have the same skin tone.

2- Strange lighting

It is also necessary that the lighting is the same as in the original video track, something that very rarely happens in low quality manipulations. Locate parts of the face whose lighting does not match the rest of the image we see on the screen (non-existent light sources or that do not affect the elements next to it, etc).

3- Synchronized lips and voices

The synchronization of the voice with the lips is also something that does not quite “fit” in deepfakes. Look closely at the protagonist’s mouth when he speaks and look for any errors or lags, no matter how small.

4- Blurred or unfocused necks

If the video is of good quality, also look around the mouth and the entire neck and jaw area. If they appear blurry, out of focus, or slightly displaced, it may be a deepfake. This is a very difficult detail to replicate, and even the most professional deepfakes tend to have small lapses that give them away in this regard.