CSC Warns against the risks of publishing and sharing videos modified using AI

Confirmed that the incidents involving such videos rose to 8 million files in 2025

As part of the weekly awareness campaign of the Cyber Pulse initiative launched by the Cybersecurity Council (CSC), the Council warned in its weekly awareness message against manipulated and fabricated clips and videos altered using artificial intelligence. Such content is often used to harm the reputation of individuals within society or to achieve other malicious objectives. The Council stressed the importance of remaining vigilant and cautious when encountering such materials, refraining from sharing them, and verifying the authenticity of any content, particularly on social media platforms, before reposting or circulating it across different channels.

The Council emphasized the serious risks posed by fabricated and manipulated videos, noting that they may be exploited for identity theft or cyber fraud. Some of these videos are widely used in financial fraud schemes and the dissemination of false and misleading information. In addition, certain entities may leverage AI-altered videos to damage the reputations of individuals, companies, or institutions. Such content can also be exploited by malicious actors to undermine the reputation of entire countries, spread toxic narratives, and promote deceptive and unrealistic ideas. These videos often rely on the images and voices of trusted public figures, which are manipulated to serve such harmful purposes.

CSC called on all individuals not to be misled by such content, underscoring the need to investigate and promptly report it to the relevant authorities before sharing any material that may have been altered using artificial intelligence. It also highlighted several indicators that can help identify fake or manipulated videos, including unnatural movements by the person appearing in the video, unusual behavior, inconsistent facial expressions, abnormal lighting or skin tones, mismatched audio and visuals, or blurry and distorted imagery.

In its weekly awareness message under the Cyber Pulse campaign, the Council urged individuals and citizens to take specific measures to detect such content. These include refraining from sharing or resharing suspicious videos, alerting others and warning them that such content may be AI-generated and not authentic, verifying the source, avoiding engagement with or sharing such material on social media platforms, and immediately reporting it to the relevant authorities to verify its authenticity and address it in accordance with established procedures.

The Council’s weekly awareness message noted that manipulated and fake videos have become increasingly widespread amid rapid technological and digital advancements. The number of fake video incidents rose to approximately eight million files in 2025 alone. It further indicated that around 60% of individuals find it extremely difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake content, underscoring the significant risks associated with such materials, some of which may lead to multiple cyber threats affecting both individuals and communities.

CSC reaffirmed in its weekly awareness message that these guidelines are intended to reinforce the importance of awareness and caution against cyber fraud. It stressed the need for constant vigilance before clicking on or sharing any electronic links and the importance of not disclosing any personal or financial information. The Council emphasized that rapid and continuous digital developments require sustained awareness and caution from individuals regarding various cyber risks.

The Council considered digital safety in cyberspace to be a major challenge and noted that these preventive measures complement ongoing government efforts to address current digital challenges linked to accelerated technological transformation. In this context, the Cyber Pulse awareness campaign, launched by the Cybersecurity Council for its second consecutive year across social media platforms, aims to support the UAE’s continued efforts to build a secure cyberspace that protects users from growing digital risks. The campaign aligns with a comprehensive national vision to enhance trust in the country’s digital ecosystem, promote a strong cybersecurity culture, raise digital awareness among families and individuals, and strengthen cybersecurity practices to ensure the safety and privacy of citizens and residents in an era of rapid digital transformation.