Ex-TV meteorologist fights deepfakes after her image was doctored in scams
Read Original Source
For nearly a decade, Bree Smith was a familiar face in Nashville. But, in January, the mom and former TV meteorologist stopped appearing on the local CBS-affiliated station — a decision she made after months of fighting against deepfakes, which are simulated online images or videos that can seem realistic. In Smith's case, an image of her was doctored to create explicit pictures and videos, with her face edited onto different, partly nude bodies, and then used to try to extort money from others.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Former TV meteorologist Bree Smith is fighting deepfake sextortion scams after doctored images of her were used to try to extort money, and she helped push a Tennessee bill aimed at giving victims legal recourse.
Key Points:
- Smith says fake explicit images and videos made with her face have spread online and targeted people who might recognize her.
- She has tracked hundreds of fake accounts and says the problem is hard to stop because new ones keep appearing.
- Smith testified to Tennessee lawmakers, and the Tennessee Senate passed a bill that would let victims sue over shared images made without consent.
- Officials say sextortion scams are growing fast, with tens of thousands of victims reported in the U.S. in recent years, and experts urge people to report fake content to platforms and law enforcement.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
Deepfake scams can trick consumers, steal money, and spread harm fast before victims can get fake images removed.
Positive Impact
Tennessee's new deepfake law could give victims more legal tools and may help deter some scammers.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Bree Smithperson
- Major:Tennessee Senategovernment agency or body
Candidate Entities7 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Bree SmithpersonPrimaryEvaluated
Former TV meteorologist and central subject of the article; her experience with deepfakes and advocacy drive the story.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Tennessee Senategovernment agency or bodyMajorEvaluated
Passed the deepfake-related bill Smith backed, making it a major institutional actor.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Federal Bureau of Investigationgovernment agency or bodyContextCandidate
Cited for sextortion victim statistics and crime trends, providing important background context.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrennonprofit / NGOContextCandidate
Its sextortion tracker expert is quoted explaining offender motives and the broader scam environment.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - National Cybersecurity Alliancenonprofit / NGOContextCandidate
Gives guidance on reporting deepfake content, playing a supporting advisory role.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommitteegovernment agency or bodyContextCandidate
Received Smith’s testimony and is part of the legislative action described, but is not the main focus.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
Comments 0
Comments here are the same thread shown when this article appears in The Pulse.
No comments on this article yet.
Sign in to comment