The United States’ secretive Special Operations Command is seeking companies to develop deepfake internet users so convincingly realistic that they cannot be detected as fake, as per a procurement document examined by The Intercept.
The document, part of a new 76-page wish list by the Department of Defense’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), outlines the desired advanced technologies for the country’s elite military operations. It states that the Special Operations Forces (SOF) are interested in technologies capable of creating believable online personas for use on various online platforms.
JSOC specifies the need to generate online user profiles that resemble unique individuals recognizable as human but non-existent in reality. Each profile should have multiple expressions and high-quality photos for identification purposes.
In addition to static images of fabricated individuals, the document mentions the inclusion of facial and background imagery, videos, and audio layers. JSOC aims to produce “selfie videos” featuring these artificial individuals with matching fake backgrounds to create a seamless virtual environment undetectable by social media algorithms.
The Pentagon has previously used fake social media accounts for its interests, and JSOC’s interest in deepfake technology aligns with its past endeavors. The procurement listing indicates the U.S. government’s pursuit of technologies it criticizes when used by other countries.
The listing reveals that special operations troops intend to use these fabricated internet personas to collect information from public online forums, although the document does not elaborate on the specific applications of these artificial users.
Experts have warned about the growing threat posed by deepfake technology, especially in the hands of foreign adversaries. The U.S. government’s interest in leveraging deepfakes for military purposes raises concerns about the normalization of deceptive practices. Other countries, including Russia and China, have already employed deepfake technology for propaganda, prompting international efforts to counter such manipulation.
The tension within the U.S. government regarding the use of deepfakes reflects conflicting priorities. While some agencies emphasize truthfulness and transparency, others are tasked with employing deception tactics for strategic purposes.
Byman expressed his worry about the U.S. potentially being viewed as hypocritical and the impact this could have on domestic trust in the government. He questioned whether certain segments of the American population would become more skeptical of information coming from the government.
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