Liam O'Dell
Feb 26, 2021
@deeptomcruise/TikTok
People have expressed their concern after a TikTok profile has surfaced sharing “scary good” deepfakes of Mission Impossible actor Tom Cruise.
The account, @deeptomcruise, uses computer software to impose the actor’s face on another person, enabling individuals to impersonate other people.
Sharing a clip from the profile on Twitter, user Lauren White said: “Deepfakes are getting scary good and taking over TikTok. Every public figure should just be on there with a verified account – even if they don’t want to make content – to make it easier to identify their fakes.”
I need to know if @TaylorLorenz is aware of the Tom Cruise tiktoks https://t.co/An7AV430AF— Brian Kosciesza (he/him) (@Brian Kosciesza (he/him)) 1614288691
In the clip, the man can be seen putting on a hat and sunglasses, before swinging at a golf ball.
“If you like what you’re seeing, just wait until what’s coming next,” he teased.
Elsewhere, MSNBC producer Brian Kosciesza posted another video showing the individual performing a simple coin trick, making it disappear before moving his hand quickly across his face.
“It’s all the real thing,” the man says, as the video effect continues to superimpose Cruise onto him with no glitches.
The videos have since shocked people online, with many questioning the ethical implications of such technology:
@laurenmwhite Tom hasn’t looked that young in years. Interesting to think what this might mean go film industry dow… https://t.co/Jy2QT52xjz— John Williams (@John Williams) 1614273777
@laurenmwhite This is actually frightening. I can imagine this being used for all kinds of nefarious purposes.— LOfficielEbony, JD (@LOfficielEbony, JD) 1614257332
@laurenmwhite @ClarusPlusPlus The ramifications of this for news and media are horrifying.— 𝕊𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕕𝕒𝕞 (@𝕊𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕕𝕒𝕞) 1614278298
Others weren’t convinced, casting immediate doubt on the video’s accuracy or spotting moments when the individual’s real face is visible:
@laurenmwhite Come on. Everyone knows that Tom Cruise is shorter than that.— Cédric Bray (@Cédric Bray) 1614238478
@laurenmwhite Wow this is a good fake. There’s another clip on TikTok though and you see the guy’s face through the… https://t.co/nSMACjtGRi— Chantal Thuy (@Chantal Thuy) 1614274238
The TikTok profile isn’t the first time that Cruise’s likeness has been used in deepfakes.
During an appearance on a US talk show, comedian Bill Hader impersonated the actor, which was later altered in a viral video using the deceptive editing technique.
More: Rosamund Pike isn’t here for Hollywood’s photoshopping issue
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