Snapchat Cameo Can Deepfake Videos; Should You Worry?

Snapchat is using deepfake technology for its latest offering. Dubbed as Cameo, the feature allows users to insert their faces in popular videos, gifs, and more. The feature is developed using deepfake technology. A few weeks ago, researchers from the MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality showed how deepfake videos can have severe consequences. But Snapchat says Cameo is for entertainment.

Snapchat Cameo Uses Deepfake Technology

Researchers from MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality created a deepfake video of former US President Richard Nixon reading a speech about the Apollo 11. The video aimed to show the world the consequences of deepfake videos. Journalists, actors, politicians, and others could be morphed into saying or doing things they didn't, which could have hazardous effects on the people.

Now, lawmakers are looking for a solution to filter what's real and what's deepfake. With the impending 2020 elections in the US, lawmakers are finding an answer so that people don't believe something is real when it's not. Under such circumstances, Snapchat has rolled out a feature that's completely based on deepfake technology.

Snapchat Cameo: Features

Snapchat says there are several looping videos where users can place themselves using the usual selfie camera as the source. Using deepfake technology, Cameo will match the user's face to that of the actor's. Cameo superimposes to make it feel like the user is actually playing the role instead of the real actor/celebrity.

Snapchat says the idea is to create an impression that the user is starring in the videos. The Cameo feature is an upgrade from the Snapchat Bitmojis that have been popular so far. Users will need to select the Bitmoji keyboard shortcut to access the Cameo feature.

Snapchat Cameo Can Deepfake: What's The Harm

Snapchat, being one of the popular social media platforms, produces massive amounts of user data. The new Cameo feature with deepfake videos could go viral and have repercussions. Snapchat claims that Cameo will not create 'intensive' deepfake videos like the ones surfaced online. The Cameo feature will be able to distinguish that the face has been superimposed.

Snapchat says the purpose is benign and expected to be used for entertainment only. To create a Cameo video, users will need to take a selfie, which will then be 'stretched' and 'moved' to create facial reactions Snapchat will apply to the actor's head. The feature is currently in beta version and a global rollout is expected on December 18, for both Android and iOS.