The popularity of video editing software has led to Twitter preparing a new set of rules to keep deepfake in check. Before publishing these new rules of engagement, it had asked for users’ input in October 2019. The social media platform had tweeted:

We’re always updating our rules based on how online behaviors change. We’re working on a new policy to address synthetic and manipulated media on Twitter – but first we want to hear from you.

— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) October 21, 2019

On Tuesday 4th February 2020, Twitter published its plan to succeed against the use of deepfake.

It said that it had reached the conclusion after considering Tweets that used the hashtag #TwitterPolicyFeedback. It had gotten more than 6,500 responses from people around the world.

The overwhelming number of people recognise the threat that misleading altered media poses and agree that Twitter should do something about it. It will do the following to determine contents that fall short of its policy:

— First, if the content’s composition, sequence, timing, or framing has been tampered with. It will also check for video frames, overdubbed audio, or modified subtitles as well as fabricated or simulated media depicting a real person.

— Also, the context in which the media is being shared is also important. Thus, it will look out at:

• the text in the Tweet following or within the media
• metadata associated with the media
• the profile of the person sharing the media
• websites linked in the profile of the person sharing the media, or in the Tweet sharing the media.

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— Lastly, it will look at what impact the Tweet will have. Tweets that can lead to serious harm and affect public safety will fall into this category.

Once it is determined that the Tweet is unsafe for other Twitter users, the platform will either apply one or all of the following measures:

1. Apply a label to the Tweet.
2. Show a warning to people before they Retweet or like the Tweet.
3. Reduce the visibility of the Tweet on Twitter and/or prevent it from being recommended.
4. Provide additional explanations or clarifications, as available, such as a landing page with more context.

Twitter is not the only social media company that has declared war on deepfake media. Facebook and Instagram had also promised users that it would step up its security protocols to checkmate it.

Misleading and manipulated media posts are becoming serious menaces and users should be more careful.

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