P.E.I. chef warns about scam video 'deepfake' advertisement circulating on Facebook
A Prince Edward Island chef and TV host is warning people about a fake video advertisement that features him offering hundreds of dollars worth of cookware for free -- in return for credit card details.
Michael Smith says for almost two weeks now a "deepfake" video ad has been circulating on Facebook that features his voice and likeness saying that he and the cookware brand Le Creuset are giving away free $500 sets of cookware to people who submit their credit card information in the next 24 hours.
"Some kind of AI has gotten in there and examined my voice, my videos and it's made me say things that I've never said before," Smith said in an interview Thursday.
The term deepfake refers to the use of artificial intelligence to create video, images or audio that can realistically replicate someone's voice, appearance or movement.
Smith, a former Food Network Canada chef who co-owns The Inn at Bay Fortune in P.E.I., said he's angry that Facebook has not taken down the ad despite repeated requests for it to be removed from both him and Le Creuset.
"I find it unconscionable. Facebook is selling this ad, they are making money and ripping off Canadians ... and the ad is still running," he said. The chef said he has been using his various social media profiles to warn his followers that the video ad is a scam.
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, did not immediately return requests for comment.
It's not the first time in his career that Smith's name or picture has been used against his wishes to promote something, but he said he's never seen anything like this.
"Some people are falling for it. My mother-in-law got all the way through to the point where it was time to put in her credit card, and that's my own mother-in-law," Smith said.
"I've worked my whole career to be an authentic voice for my food, my family and my community. And then along comes this, which crashes right into that."
Smith is not the only notable figure to have their likeness hijacked in deceptive ads on Facebook. Media reported earlier this year that a deepfake video of Taylor Swift was used in another purported Le Creuset giveaway, and a deepfake video of Oprah Winfrey promoting an influencer's self-help course also circulated on Facebook.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2024.
-- By Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax.
For more Prince Edward Island news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.