Identity checks on crypto exchanges at risk as AI deepfakes evolve

Published

1 year ago

August 9, 2023

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The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been subject to growing concerns over identity verification tools on cryptocurrency exchanges.

With rapidly evolving AI technology, the process of creating deepfake proofs of identity is becoming easier than ever. The concerns about AI-enabled risks in crypto have triggered some prominent industry executives to speak out on the matter.

Changpeng Zhao, CEO and founder of major global crypto exchange Binance, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 9 to raise the alarm on the use of AI in crypto by bad actors.

“This is pretty scary from a video verification perspective. Don’t send people coins even if they send you a video,” Zhao wrote.

This is pretty scary from a video verification perspective. Don’t send people coins even if they send you a video… ‍♂️ https://t.co/jvjZGHihku

— CZ Binance (@cz_binance) August 9, 2023

Like many other crypto exchanges, Binance’s internal Know Your Customer (KYC) processes require crypto investors to submit video evidence for processing certain transactions.

*Binance requires video evidence of the user for certain withdrawal of funds. Source: Binance*

Binance CEO referred to an AI-generated video featuring HeyGen co-founder and CEO Joshua Xu. The video specifically included Xu’s AI-generated avatar, which looks just like the real HeyGen CEO and reproduces his facial expressions as well as voice and speech patterns.

“Both of these video clips were 100% AI-generated, featuring my own avatar and voice clone,” Xu noted. He added that HeyGen has been progressing with some massive enhancements to its life-style avatar’s video quality and voice technology to mimic his unique accent and speech patterns.

“This will be soon deployed to production and everyone can try it out,” Xu added.

Once available to the public, the AI tool will allow anyone to create a real life-like digital avatar in just “two minutes,” the HeyGen CEO said.

The public exposure to AI generation tools like HeyGen could potentially cause serious identity verification issues for cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance. Like many other exchanges, Binance practices KYC measures involving a requirement to send a video featuring the user and certain documents to get access to services or even to withdraw funds from the platform.

Binance’s statement video specifically requires users to submit the video along with the picture of their identity document, such an ID card, driver’s license or passport. The policy requires users to mention the date and certain requests on the video record.

“Please do not put watermarks on your videos and do not edit your videos,” the policy reads.

Binance chief security officer Jimmy Su previously warned about AI deepfake-associated risks as well. In late May, Su argued that AI tech is getting so advanced that AI deepfakes may soon become undetectable by a human verifier.

Binance and HeyGen did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s request for comment. This article will be updated pending new information.

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Politics

CZ walks free, Caroline Ellison receives prison sentence, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Sept. 22 – 28

Published

2 hours ago

September 28, 2024

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CZ walks free, Caroline Ellison receives prison sentence, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Sept. 22 – 28

Binance founder CZ walks free, former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison sentenced to two years, and more: Hodlers Digest

Politics

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield quits Labour – criticising Sir Keir Starmer in resignation letter

Published

3 hours ago

September 28, 2024

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Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield quits Labour - criticising Sir Keir Starmer in resignation letter

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has resigned from the Labour Party.

The 53-year-old MP is the first to jump ship since the general election and in her resignation letter criticised the prime minister for accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts.

She told Sir Keir Starmer the reason for leaving now is “the programme of policies you seem determined to stick to”, despite their unpopularity with the electorate and MPs.

In her letter she accused the prime minister and his top team of “sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice” which are “off the scale”.

“I’m so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party,” she said.

Sir Keir has faced backlash after a Sky News report revealed he had received substantially more freebies than any other MP since becoming Labour leader.

Since December 2019, the prime minister received £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality – a specific category in parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.

Ms Duffield, who has previously clashed with the prime minister on gender issues, attacked the government for pursuing “cruel and unnecessary” policies as she resigned the Labour whip.

She criticised the decision to keep the two-child benefit cap and means-test the winter fuel payment, and accused the prime minister of “hypocrisy” over his acceptance of free gifts from donors.

“Since the change of government in July, the revelations of hypocrisy have been staggering and increasingly outrageous,” she said.

“I cannot put into words how angry I and my colleagues are at your total lack of understanding about how you have made us all appear.”

Ms Duffield also mentioned the recent “treatment of Diane Abbott”, who said she thought she had been barred from standing by Labour ahead of the general election, before Sir Keir said she would be allowed to defend her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat for the party.

Her relationship with the Labour leadership has long been strained and her decision to quit the party comes after seven other Labour MPs were suspended for rebelling by voting for a motion calling for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished.

“Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives’ two-child limit to benefit payments which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp – this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour prime minister,” she said.

Ms Duffield said she will continue to represent her constituents as an independent MP, “guided by my core Labour values”.