AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating Dr. Joseph Allen were created to spread false medical information and sell bogus eye products, with scammers using his likeness without consent to promote unproven treatments.
Dr. Joseph Allen, an optometrist known for his YouTube channel 'Dr. Eye Health,' discovered that AI-generated deepfake videos were being created using his likeness to spread false medical information and sell fraudulent eye products. The deepfakes appeared across social media platforms including TikTok, using his face and voice to promote eye drops that claimed to reverse myopia. The videos told viewers not to see eye care providers and claimed the entire profession was a scam. When Dr. Allen challenged the deepfakes with legal counsel, it took a month to contact TikTok and another three weeks to prove his legitimate identity. After one account was deplatformed, scammers created new accounts within hours and reuploaded the content. The fraudulent eye drops being promoted were traced back to a Chinese company selling millions of dollars in product on Amazon, with the actual contents of the drops remaining questionable. The incident represents a broader trend of AI-generated content targeting real doctors to create algorithm-driven videos that spread dangerous health misinformation.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to gain a personal advantage over others such as through cheating, fraud, scams, blackmail or targeted manipulation of beliefs or behavior. Examples include AI-facilitated plagiarism for research or education, impersonating a trusted or fake individual for illegitimate financial benefit, or creating humiliating or sexual imagery.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed
