Technology
How to police Hollywood from swiping original creative work with AI
Imagine stumbling upon a video of yourself doing something you’ve never done or saying something you’ve never said. Scary, right? That’s the unsettling reality many face with the surge of deepfakes, and celebrities are the prime targets.
In an era swarming with unauthorized AI-generated content, one startup is stepping up to help celebs keep control of their own images, voices and performance data. Metaphysic, already recognized for its convincing deepfake videos, has launched a new tool, Metaphysic Pro.
This innovative feature allows individual performers to create an AI likeness and personally register their copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office.
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Credit: Metaphysic.ai
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The emerging conflicts of AI in creative industries
As AI technology seeps into every aspect of our lives, new conflicts within every creative industry are emerging. Intellectual property owners can now create without creators, sparking widespread disputes and concerns (think of an AI-generated song featuring Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan).
This dilemma is most notably seen in Hollywood, where writers have demanded greater protections and compensation for using their material and likenesses – one of the primary demands achieved that tentatively ended the current WGA strike.
Metaphysic’s new platform could potentially offer a secure, transparent environment for coordination between performers, IP holders and filmmakers to create AI content. Consent and compensation stand at its core, as emphasized by CEO Thomas Graham.
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A-list attention
The startup’s platform is already garnering attention from notable names. Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Paris Hilton are reportedly among the early users of Metaphysic Pro. This tool enables celebrities to upload images or sign up for full face and body scans, keeping control of the traits required to train an AI model on their likeness and voice.
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Metaphysic is offering solutions for creators
While there’s a lot of confusion over how copyright laws apply to AI-generated content, Metaphysic is stepping up to offer real solutions for creators who want to keep their personal data safe. But it’s not all smooth sailing.
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Who actually owns AI-created content?
The big question is who actually owns AI-created content? Is it the AI, the person who made the AI, or nobody at all? This mess creates a whole heap of opportunities for unauthorized use.
And when it’s your personal data on the line, that’s a big deal. Sharing this kind of sensitive info with a company means there’s a risk it could get leaked or stolen, and you might find your likeness being sold on the dark web. Yikes.
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Metaphysic says it holds onto the user’s data for safekeeping
Metaphysic really wants people to know that they’re only holding onto the user’s data for safekeeping – they don’t own it. They’re all about making sure celebrities’ digital stuff is kept safe and sound.
With all the chatter going on about using AI to make digital lookalikes, this tool is jumping in as a solid move toward making AI practices fair and keeping personal data locked down tight, or at least we hope.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
In the whirlwind world of AI and deepfakes, Metaphysic is making a play with Metaphysic Pro, aiming to keep your personal bits and bytes under your control. It’s a bold move in a bold new world.
Like any uncharted territory, there are more questions than answers. The issues of copyright and ownership in AI-generated content are far from settled, and while Metaphysic is offering a tool, the broader conversation is just heating up.
Would you trust a company with your face, voice and more? How comfy are you with the idea of your digital twin out there? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
Amazon’s Echo Spot alarm clock is on sale with a free color smart bulb
The clocks have fallen back an hour for many of us, and if it all feels a bit disorienting, you’re not alone. Thankfully, Amazon’s versatile Echo Spot is on sale to help you adjust. Normally $79.99, right now you can buy the smart alarm clock at Amazon in black, blue, or white with a free Globe Electric smart bulb for $49.99, which equates to $41.99 in savings. That’s just $5 shy of the all-time low we saw during Amazon’s recent Prime Day event.
Amazon’s speedy smart speaker can be set up so that it gently wakes you up with music instead of typical alarm clock sounds, which can be jarring. The Spot is also a lot more useful than your run-of-the-mill clock, as it offers a customizable 2.83-inch screen that displays helpful info (including the weather and music playback). However, unlike Amazon’s larger smart displays, the latest Spot doesn’t push on-screen ads and lacks a camera, so there’s less of a privacy concern.
What makes the Spot particularly useful, though, is that it functions as an inexpensive Alexa speaker. That means you can use it to perform all kinds of tasks, from setting reminders to playing podcasts, audiobooks, and music. You can also use it to control other smart home devices with just your voice, including lights and smart thermostats. That’ll come in handy as the days get colder and darker — after all, no one wants to leave the warmth of their bed just to hit the lights.
Technology
Updated Android malware can hijack calls you make to your bank
Do you remember those TV shows where the villain gets defeated in one season but comes back even stronger in the next? Think “Stranger Things” on Netflix. The malware we’re talking about here is just like that. It’s called FakeCalls, and every time researchers figure out how it infects devices, it evolves with new ways to hide.
Earlier this year, it was reported to be impersonating large financial institutions, and now security researchers have discovered that the malware has gone through another upgrade. It can even hijack the calls you make to your bank using your Android phone.
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What you need to know
FakeCalls is a banking trojan that focuses on voice phishing, where victims are deceived through fraudulent calls impersonating banks and are asked to share sensitive information. Earlier versions did this by prompting users to call the bank from within an app that impersonated the financial institution, as reported by Bleeping Computer. However, the latest version, analyzed by Zimperium, sets itself as the default call handler.
The default call handler app manages incoming and outgoing calls, allowing users to answer, reject or initiate calls. Giving these permissions to a malicious app, as you can imagine, carries serious risks.
When a user gives the app permission to set itself as the default call handler, the malware gets the green light to intercept and mess with both outgoing and incoming calls. It even shows a fake call interface that looks just like the real Android dialer, complete with trusted contact info and names. This level of deception makes it really tough for victims to see what’s happening.
“When the compromised individual attempts to contact their financial institution, the malware redirects the call to a fraudulent number controlled by the attacker,” explains the new Zimperium report. “The malicious app will deceive the user, displaying a convincing fake UI that appears to be the legitimate Android’s call interface showing the real bank’s phone number.”
“The victim will be unaware of the manipulation, as the malware’s fake UI will mimic the actual banking experience, allowing the attacker to extract sensitive information or gain unauthorized access to the victim’s financial accounts,” the report added.
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The malware can also steal your data
This malware not only hijacks your calls but can also steal your data. It gets access to Android’s Accessibility permissions, which basically gives it free rein to do whatever it wants. The developer of the malware has also added several new commands, including the ability to start livestreaming the device’s screen, take screenshots, unlock the device if it’s locked and temporarily turn off auto-lock. It can also use accessibility features to mimic pressing the home button, delete images specified by the command server, and access, compress and upload photos and thumbnails from storage, especially from the DCIM folder.
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6 ways to protect yourself from FakeCalls malware
1) Have strong antivirus software: Android has its own built-in malware protection called Play Protect, but the FakeCalls malware proves it’s not enough. Historically, Play Protect hasn’t been 100% foolproof at removing all known malware from Android phones. Also, avoid clicking on any links in messages or emails that seem suspicious. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams.
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2) Download apps from reliable sources: It’s important to download apps only from trusted sources, like the Google Play Store. The FakeCalls malware infects your phone when you download an app from an unknown link. As an Android user, you should only download apps from the Play Store, which has strict checks to prevent malware and other harmful software. Avoid downloading apps from unknown websites or unofficial stores, as they pose a higher risk to your personal data and device. Also, never trust download links that you receive through SMS.
3) Be cautious with app permissions: Always review the permissions requested by apps before installation. If an app requests access to features that seem unnecessary for its function, it could be a sign of malicious intent. Do not give any app Accessibility permissions unless you really need to. Avoid granting permissions that could compromise your personal data.
4) Regularly update your device’s operating system and apps: Keeping your software up to date is crucial, as updates often include security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware like FakeCalls.
5) Monitor financial activity regularly: Check your bank and credit card statements often for unauthorized transactions. Set up alerts for any account activity, which can notify you immediately if suspicious activity occurs.
6) Limit sensitive transactions on mobile: Whenever possible, avoid performing high-risk transactions (like large money transfers) on your mobile device, especially if you’re in public or connected to unsecured Wi-Fi. Use a secure computer or contact your bank directly from a verified number.
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Kurt’s key takeaway
Hackers are constantly upgrading their tactics and finding clever ways to hack your devices and scam you out of your hard-earned money. I really think Android phone manufacturers and Google need to step up their game on security to help keep users from getting hacked so often. I don’t see the same level of malware affecting iPhones.
How comfortable are you using your mobile phone for financial transactions, and what would make you feel safer? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Technology
Your favorite musician’s favorite TikTok show
Guess the artist, win five bucks. Whether you’re a random person on the streets of New York, an A-list celebrity, or the sitting Vice President of the United States, that’s the pitch behind one of the most fun music shows on social media. You show up, you get some headphones and a microphone, and you hope you know what song is playing.
The show is called Track Star, and it’s hosted by Jack Coyne. On this episode of The Vergecast, the first in our three-part miniseries about the future of music, Coyne joins the show to tell us the story of Track Star.
We talk about the show’s beginnings as a trivia show about New York called Public Opinion, how Coyne and his co-creators figured out the show’s structure and pace, how he thinks about his role as the host, and why a bunch of famous people started clamoring to be on the show. Coyne never expected Track Star to feature the likes of Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Jack Antonoff, Nelly Furtado, Kamala Harris, and Oprah, but it happened. And somewhat remarkably, it didn’t change the show at all.
We also dig into why a show like Track Star works, and why it matters, in the current music landscape. Coyne and his team have big plans for expanding the franchise, too, and sees a place for Track Star even in an online world already overloaded with stuff to listen to. If you start with music, conversation, and a decent playlist, there are plenty of places you can go.
If you want to know more about everything we discuss in this episode, here are some links to get you started:
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