New Deepfake Tool Turns Livestreamers Into Someone Else in Real Time

You can even use it over video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Skype.

Real-Time Deepfakes

Deepfake technology is shockingly sophisticated, allowing companies to create advertising clones, countries to imitate political rivals, and turn 50-year-old men into attractive young women. Now, livestreamers are using a new deepfake software to change their face in real time. 

DeepFaceLive is an open-source AI software that can transform your face into someone else’s on video conferencing and streaming platforms, according to The Daily Dot. It was created by a developer known online as Iperov. Russian YouTuber Vladislav Pedro said that streamers have already started using the tool on sites like Twitch. 

"DeepFaceLive has a lot of potential," Pedro said to The Daily Dot. "This software can be used by both streamers and creators of any other media content."

Here’s a solid example of DeepFaceLive in action from a TikToker impersonating the Terminator. 

Deepfake Dangers

Of course, this dredges up a whole host of messy ethical — and potentially criminal — implications. After all, a tool that allows you to look like anyone else can be incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands. 

"Many will see DeepFaceLive as a fun tool for Twitch livestreaming or absurd TikTok videos, but my research on deepfakes has consistently shown there are many others who will be looking to misuse it," Henry Adjer, the head of communications and research analysis at AI technology company Deeptrace, said to the Daily Dot. 

He continued, "This could range from adult streamers 'wearing' celebrities’ faces without consent, to biometric spoofing such as fooling facial recognition and liveness detection systems."

So while it’s fun to pretend you’re Arnold Schwarzenegger or Tom Cruise for TikTok content, there’s a serious risk that comes with deepfake tech. No doubt as it gets more sophisticated, we’ll see more and more bad actors come out of the woodwork.

READ MORE: Real-time deepfakes could bring chaos to your next Zoom call [The Daily Dot]

More on deepfakes: Company Wants to Make Deepfake Advertising Clones of Your Face