Web Desk: As manipulated media becomes increasingly sophisticated, Pakistan’s telecom regulator has urged citizens to stay vigilant, warning that deepfake videos and images are rapidly spreading online and can be difficult to detect without careful scrutiny.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on Thursday that while artificial intelligence has enabled more realistic digital forgeries, users can still identify fake content by paying attention to key visual inconsistencies. The advisory comes amid growing global concern over the misuse of deepfake technology for misinformation, fraud and reputational harm.
According to the PTA, one of the most noticeable indicators lies in unnatural facial behavior. For instance, blinking patterns may appear irregular either too frequent or unusually rare—while lip movements may not align properly with speech. In addition, facial expressions can seem stiff or inconsistent with the known mannerisms of the person depicted.
Moreover, the regulator highlighted technical flaws often present in altered media. These include blurred edges around the face, poor blending with the background and mismatched lighting or shadows that make the image appear artificial. Such inconsistencies, it noted, can help viewers distinguish genuine content from manipulated visuals.
Beyond visual cues, the PTA encouraged users to verify suspicious content using trusted digital tools. Platforms such as Microsoft’s Video Authenticator and Deepware Scanner can assist in analyzing media files and detecting signs of manipulation.
Furthermore, the authority emphasized the importance of digital awareness, urging the public not to share unverified videos or images on social media. It added that increased vigilance can help curb the spread of misinformation and protect individuals from potential scams.
As deepfake technology continues to evolve, experts say a combination of user awareness and verification tools remains the most effective defense against deceptive digital content.
Read more: Meta launches scam detection tools for Facebook and WhatsApp
