"Beware of Deepfake Technologies": CSC Issues an Urgent Warning

UAE Cybersecurity Council (CSC) has issued an urgent warning highlighting the growing risks of deepfake technologies. The Council called on all individuals to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of messages, images, or videos encountered online or on social media platforms, stressing the importance of confirming that such content is genuine and avoiding the spread of materials produced using deepfake tools, which have proliferated alongside advances in artificial intelligence and modern digital tools.

The Council emphasized that the digital sphere has witnessed tremendous advancements in artificial intelligence in recent years, among which deepfake technology, one of its most sophisticated and dangerous innovations, has emerged. Deepfakes pose a serious threat to the credibility of digital content in the modern era, as they employ machine-learning algorithms to generate images, videos, or audio recordings that closely mimic reality, making it increasingly difficult for non-experts to distinguish between authentic and fabricated material. Over time, this technology has evolved into a potent instrument of deception, capable of spreading misinformation, sowing discord, and fueling unrest to serve malicious political, economic, or social agendas.

The Council warned that the spread of deepfake videos represents a growing threat to both national and societal security. It cautioned against malicious entities that might circulate fabricated footage of government officials to manipulate public opinion, spark controversy and anxiety, and create artificial crises without any factual basis. These technologies can used to falsify speeches or audio recordings attributed to public figures, undermining trust in official sources and placing individuals in challenging situations that demand vigilance and scrutiny before accepting or sharing any such material that could destabilize communities or spread chaos.

The Council further noted that the dangers of deepfake technology extend beyond security concerns to include serious social repercussions. Deepfakes can damage reputations, destroy relationships, and incite hatred and division by fabricating compromising or immoral scenarios involving individuals to harm them emotionally or socially. Such content can inflict lasting psychological and social harm, erode interpersonal trust, and foster a constant state of doubt in what people see or hear, threatening the stability of human relationships and weakening social cohesion.

On the economic front, the Council stressed that deepfake risks also extend to the corporate sector, potentially causing significant financial losses due to their ability to imitate voices and faces. This capability could exploited for large-scale financial fraud, for example, when an employee receives a fake call from a "manager" instructing them to transfer funds, or when a fabricated statement attributed to a company executive triggers sharp fluctuations in stock prices within minutes. Similarly, a falsified promotional video could tarnish a brand’s reputation or lead to substantial losses due to diminished customer trust. Such scenarios make deepfake technology a direct threat to the digital economy and the integrity of electronic communications and business transactions.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, emphasized that public awareness is the first line of defense against these complex challenges. He urged all individuals to recognize that what they see or hear online may not necessarily be real, especially given the ease with which modern tools can superimpose one person’s face onto another’s body or alter a voice to make it sound as though someone said something they never did. His Excellency added: "Everyone should pause before sharing any video or post, verify its source, and cross-check information with multiple credible media outlets before believing any sensational or shocking content. Furthermore, digital literacy should be reinforced in schools and universities to teach younger generations how to verify information and critically assess media content to counter misinformation".

He continued: "Confronting the dangers of deepfake technology is not the responsibility of a single entity but a shared collective duty involving individuals, institutions, corporations, and nations alike. The more we equip ourselves with knowledge and vigilance, the better we can protect our minds and societies from deception. The future will not belong merely to those who possess technology, but to those who have the awareness and wisdom to use it responsibly".

The Council also underlined the crucial role of the media in combating this phenomenon, urging the adoption of strict verification mechanisms and the avoidance of publishing any suspicious material without confirming its authenticity. It further emphasized the importance of public education on how to identify deepfakes. The Council warned that irresponsible engagement with modern technologies could facilitate the spread of sophisticated misinformation, underscoring that the core message every individual must embrace is conscious caution, to refrain from believing or sharing any content unless its accuracy verified. CSC concluded by noting that as technology advances, tools originally developed to serve humanity can easily turn into weapons against it if awareness diminishes and society loses its ability to discern truth from falsehood.