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Tip Sheet

AI Deepfakes

Deepfake technology can make anyone appear to say or do anything. Learn to spot them, protect yourself, and take action if you are targeted.

500%
increase in deepfake videos online between 2019 and 2024
96%
of deepfake videos target women with non-consensual intimate images
$25B
lost globally to deepfake financial fraud in 2023 alone

What is a Deepfake?

A deepfake is a piece of media — a photo, video, or audio recording — that has been artificially altered or entirely generated by AI to make a real person appear to say or do something they never did.

Deepfakes are used for fraud, political manipulation, sexual abuse, and harassment. They are becoming increasingly difficult to detect with the naked eye.

Important — Bermuda Law
Creating or distributing non-consensual deepfake intimate images is a criminal offence in Bermuda. Offenders can face prosecution under the Criminal Code.

How to Spot a Deepfake

1
Unnatural blinking or eye movement
Early deepfakes struggled with natural eye behaviour. Look for eyes that do not blink naturally or move unnaturally.
2
Blurry or distorted edges around the face
The boundary between a face and the background often shows subtle blurring or flickering in deepfake video.
3
Inconsistent lighting
The face may be lit differently from the rest of the scene — shadows and highlights that do not match are a red flag.
4
Unnatural skin texture
AI-generated faces can appear too smooth or show subtle patchwork textures that real skin does not have.
5
Audio that does not match lip movement
Audio deepfakes and video deepfakes are often produced separately. Watch for slight sync delays or unnatural mouth movements.
6
Verify with a reverse image or video search
Upload suspicious images or screenshots to Google Images or a dedicated deepfake detection tool to check for signs of manipulation.

How to Protect Yourself

Prevention is the best defence against deepfake abuse.

1
Set all social profiles to private
Public photos and videos are the raw material for deepfakes. Limit who can see your images, videos, and personal content.
2
Be selective about what you post
The more high-quality photos and videos of yourself that are publicly available, the easier you are to impersonate with AI.
3
Use watermarks on content you share publicly
Subtle watermarks on photos and videos make it harder to use your content as deepfake source material without detection.
4
Enable two-factor authentication everywhere
Deepfakes are also used for account takeovers. Protecting your accounts reduces the risk of identity fraud combining deepfakes and hacking.
5
Teach children about deepfakes early
Young people are frequently targeted. Age-appropriate conversations about what deepfakes are and what to do if they encounter one are essential.
6
Be sceptical of urgent requests in video messages
Criminals use deepfake calls and videos to impersonate executives, officials, or family members to request urgent money transfers.
7
Do not share intimate images online
Even in trusted relationships, once an intimate image exists digitally it can be manipulated. The safest choice is not to create or share them.
8
Report suspected deepfakes immediately
Report deepfake content to the platform where you found it and to CyberTips Bermuda. Early reporting limits the spread of harmful content.

If You Are Targeted by a Deepfake

Act quickly. The sooner you respond, the better chance you have of limiting harm.

Step 1
Do not engage or respond
Do not confront the person responsible. Engaging can escalate the situation and give them more power over you.
Step 2
Screenshot and preserve evidence
Screenshot the content, record URLs, and note dates and times before reporting so the evidence is preserved.
Step 3
Report to the platform
All major platforms have policies against non-consensual deepfake content. Use the report function to request immediate removal.
Step 4
Contact CyberTips and police
Call 1-441-777-0875 or visit cybertips.bm. If the content is sexual or threatening, also contact the Bermuda Police Service.
1-441-777-0875
Call CyberTips Bermuda 24/7 to report deepfake abuse or non-consensual intimate image sharing. Your report is confidential.
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