Steven Van Zandt Cautions Us About Deep Fake And The Worst Case
via 60 Minutes / Youtube
In a series of recent tweets, legendary guitarist Steven Van Zandt expressed deep concern about the rising use of Deep Fake technology and its potential for harm.
The musician, known for his role in the E Street Band alongside Bruce Springsteen, called for action to address the issue before it leads to serious consequences.
Van Zandt questioned the legality of Deep Fakes in a tweet, asking,
“Why are Deep Fakes not illegal? Like right now! Before something really bad happens?”
When a follower defended Deep Fakes, citing ‘Freedom of the Press,’ Van Zandt highlighted the importance of protecting one’s identity, stating,
“How about freedom of identity? No one should even have the right to take a picture without the subject’s permission. Never mind stealing their likeness and voice! Freedom of speech should be interpreted to mean protection and ownership of one’s identity. Not a license to steal it!”
Addressing the worst-case scenario
Van Zandt responded to a fan who asked about AI-generated songs in the likeness of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, saying,
“That’s not the worst-case scenario. What happens when an even more psychotic leader takes over Russia after Putin is disappeared and a fake Joe Biden says we just launched our missiles. We are now at war with Russia? There will be approx 6-10 minutes to verify or deny that truth.”
In response to arguments about freedom of speech, he reiterated,
“1st Amendment Freedom of Speech should be interpreted to mean protection and ownership of one’s identity. Not a license to steal it. No one should even have the right to take a picture without the subject’s permission. Never mind stealing their likeness and voice.”
This is not the first time Van Zandt has spoken out against Deep Fake technology.
Several months ago, he criticized social media platforms for its use, urging them to track down and ban it. Emphasizing the need for technology to detect and eliminate Deep Fakes, he stated ,
“As long as there is technology to create it, there is technology to detect it. But I believe it will have to be made illegal first, or the social media platforms won’t have the balls to do it.”
Steven Van Zandt’s tweets underscore the urgent need for measures to address the potential dangers posed by Deep Fake technology and to safeguard individuals’ identities from misuse.
