Why it is more misleading than deepfakes

The rise of voter fraud: A subtle and insidious threat

In recent years, deepfake technology has captured the public’s attention, with doctored videos circulating online and raising concerns about the potential for misinformation and election manipulation. But there’s another, even more deceptive threat on the horizon: vote fraud.

Unlike high-definition video, the quality of audio transmission, especially in phone calls, is often low. We have become desensitized to low-fidelity audio, making it difficult to distinguish between a genuine anomaly and a manipulated voice. The imperfections in the audio lend a veil of anonymity to voice manipulation, making it effective and insidious.

Imagine the scenario, you receive a call from the number of a loved one claiming to be in trouble and asking for help. The voice may sound a little odd, but it’s easy to dismiss this as a technical glitch. The emotional urgency of the call can compel us to act before we’ve verified its authenticity. Voice fraud takes advantage of our willingness to ignore small variations in sound that are common in everyday phone use.

Unlike videos, which provide visual clues that can reveal spoofing, voice calls lack these warning signs. That’s why mobile operators offer services to block or identify suspected scam calls. But as voice fraud becomes more sophisticated, these measures may not be enough.

Because of this growing threat, people will naturally check the credibility of information sources. Trust in trusted institutions like C-SPAN will increase, while skepticism of social media chatter and lesser-known media outlets will grow. People will become more cautious about incoming calls from unknown numbers and rely on secure and encrypted voice communication services that can confirm the identity of each participant.

Fortunately, technology to combat voice fraud is advancing. Verification technologies such as multi-factor authentication for voice calls and blockchain to verify the origin of digital communications are becoming standard. Procedures such as verbal passcodes and call-back verification could also become routine for sensitive transactions or information exchanges.

But fighting voice fraud requires more than just technology. It requires a combination of education, caution, business practices, technology and government regulation. Individuals need to be extra cautious, ask questions and listen carefully. Companies need to provide consumers with reliable methods to verify their legitimacy. Governments should support technical innovation and enact laws to protect people’s internet safety.

While it requires a collective effort, it is possible to counter language fraud. By remaining vigilant and implementing comprehensive strategies, we can protect ourselves from this subtle and insidious threat to our communications systems.

-Rick Song is CEO of Persona.

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