Should celebrities be accountable for endorsing FTX? Let me explain why they ought to be in this one-minute podcast.
Deepfake warning: 6 signs the video you’re watching isn’t real
Have you seen the crazy deepfakes of “Barbie” star Margot Robbie? There’s one of her scrubbing a floor that looks so real, it’s shocking.
If that one was new to you, I’m sure you’re familiar with the infamous deepfake Tom Cruise that took the internet by storm. That one was so successful it spawned an entire deepfake company. Or maybe you remember when the Pope was walking around in a hip puffer jacket. Nah, wasn’t him.
From speeches of world leaders to clips of our favorite celebrities, deepfake videos are everywhere you turn. There are tried and true ways to pick them out. I’ll walk you through six tactics to help you become a deepfake super sleuth.
1. Face shape is a dead giveaway.
In a deepfake, measurements and proportions are typically off, even if it’s ever so slightly. The ears are the most challenging part of the face to fake, so start there.
Pro tip: Hit pause on the video and see if the structure of the face feels “off.” Your brain can perceive this pretty well since we look at real faces so often.
2. Go to the source.
Is that social media vid the real thing or a clone with a different message? Find the original footage.
Pro tip: Search related keywords on Google and social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. If you’re struggling with ways to search, you can even take screenshots of critical parts of the video and do a reverse image search.
3. Watch the mannerisms and expressions.
They’re as unique as their fingerprints. President Obama’s signature head lift and slight frown were present whenever he’d say “hi everybody” in his weekly addresses. If the star of your video in question seems like an impersonator, they very well could be.
Pro tip: Watch a few videos of the person in the potential deepfake and compare.
Innocent Google searches that lead to malware: Movies, TV shows, music and more
When I saw this malware report, I wanted to pass it along because hackers and scammers are no longer just going after adults. They’ve got a huge pot of gold for anyone looking for Sonic the Hedgehog, Taylor Swift or “Boss Baby.”
🚨 Celebrity shakedown: Taylor Swift, Johnny Depp and Kylie Jenner are among the top 10 celebs fraudsters deepfake to push phony giveaways, endorsements and crypto investments. Their scams are getting harder to spot, as the deepfaked versions look and sound a lot like the real stars. Always check a celebrity’s official social pages before you buy anything they’re pitching.
$12,000
To take a four-day class at Harvard. The course, Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports, is open to non-Harvard students and covers the economics of modern-day brands (paywall link) from Nike to MrBeast. Alumni include celebrities looking to build an empire, like Channing Tatum and LL Cool J. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.
News Flash: Taking a celeb’s financial advice could cost you
As if losing money in crypto wasn’t enough, scammers are going after people who were victims of these crooked schemes. Here’s what you need to watch out for.
Following the FTX crypto exchange collapse in November, lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and a host of celebrities and athletes.
Crypto tip: Don't fall for celebrity crypto pitches
Cryptocurrency is a risky choice of investment. There are thousands of digital currencies out there, and they all share one thing in common: volatility. Your profits can soar or crash at any given moment due to supply and demand, competition, governance and even social media hype.
Lost my appetite: Viral posts on X claim celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro are being banned from restaurants. The posts started as satire on Facebook, and now people are sharing “facts.” Don’t be one of them.
Zuckerberg's jet emits 17x more carbon than the average American
Do you ever feel guilty about your carbon footprint? Compared to these celebrities, you’re barely making a dent. Here’s why, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Online abuse is more common than ever. Do this to stop cyberstalkers
Online harassment victimizes 40% of Americans. The number of Americans who say they’ve been victims of cyberbullying is frightening. According to the Pew Research Center, online abuse is only getting worse.
Cyberstalking can happen to anyone, and it can damage every aspect of your life, from friendships to your future career. You can encounter many different types of nastiness: harassment, name-calling, sexual harassment, and even death threats.
Is 5G hazardous to your health?
Social media is a fertile breeding ground for lies. When misinformation explodes in popularity, it spills into the real world, spreading chaos in the form of fires and toppled cell phone towers. Right now, a dangerous conspiracy is emerging: the idea that 5G cell phone towers cause coronavirus.
Twitter rolls out new feature you'll love - then takes it back
Twitter is one of the leading social media platforms on the web — and the online home of some of the biggest celebrities and public figures. But in terms of features, it hasn’t changed much since it originally debuted.
Would you pay to use Twitter? You might have to
Twitter occupies a strange place in the constellation of social media sites. On one hand, it’s not even the biggest platform you can use — that dubious honor goes to Facebook. On the other, it’s home to some of the most important public figures on the planet, such as industry leaders, celebrities and even the President of the United States himself.
3 reasons you need wireless earbuds
Now that many of us are sheltering in place, finding privacy can be difficult since there’s always someone around. If you’re working from home, there are sure to be business conversations for your ears only.
And if you’re trying to listen to music or on a personal call, what you’re hearing is still for your ears only. There must be a better way! Thankfully, there is. Now’s the perfect time to get a pair of wireless earbuds.
Virtual graduation 2020: Watch it live on Facebook
Out of all the groups impacted by COVID-19, America’s graduating seniors may bear some of the most significant social scars. Not only were they robbed of their end of year festivities like prom, grad night and others, but they’ve also lost out on once-in-a-lifetime commencement ceremonies.
The great 5G coronavirus conspiracy
“A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.”
– Mark Twain (and others)
Wacky 5G coronavirus conspiracy theories now being shared by celebrities
Many questions about the coronavirus still remain, but few prompt as much heated discussion as the true origin of this deadly pandemic.
Based on what we know, there’s little doubt that the virus is of animal origins. Despite piles of scientific evidence, some still insist on spreading baseless conspiracies. Tap or click here to see why COVID-19 is not a bioweapon.
Personal info of 10 million hotel guests, including Twitter CEO and Justin Bieber, leaked online
Is there anything more relaxing than sipping a tropical drink on a glorious beach? Most would agree the answer is no.
The worst part about getting away for a vacation like that is all the planning you need to do ahead of time. Tap or click here for travel hacks that can help make preparation a cinch.
Get celebrities to send greetings for you
Have you ever struggled with getting a loved one a birthday present? This new site can help you solve that problem in a cool, unique, and sometimes inexpensive way. Give your friend a shout out from their favorite celebrity. Pseudo-celebs like self-made YouTube stars and legends like Brett Favre are getting into the birthday-wish game, for prices ranging from $10 to over $1,000.