COLLEGE OF POLICING


NEW TOOLS TO THWART THE DEEPFAKE DILEMMA


College of Policing creates an e-learning module as part of the Digital Intelligence and Investigation project to help frontline policing address the challenges posed by the dark side of AI


Deepfake technology is the scourge of celebrities and governments around the world. Hardly a day goes by where the use of AI tech to create bogus videos and images does not feature in the mainstream media, causing distress to those who are targeted by the phoney digital material.


AI is increasingly being used to create fabricated media where a person seems to be doing or saying something they never did. Believing what we see and hear is not always something we can rely on. Recently, it was alleged a ‘foreign


actor’ was likely to have been behind deepfake content which made Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wrongly sound like he was urging military action against China. In India, AI enabled deceased politicians to be used to gather votes during the world’s largest election, after they were digitally resurrected to canvass support.


The UK government also cracked down on deepfake creation, announcing last month [April 2024] that those who create sexually explicit deepfakes will face prosecution under a new law.


leader, said: “It is increasingly important digital opportunities are recognised by those who operationally are at the sharp end, and first on the scene at a crime. “The College’s deepfake product was the result of a lot of research to identify the right specialists to provide


information about the impact on criminality and usage. There was so little knowledge about the topic generally, and we wanted to create effective resources for frontline officers and staff. This product helps colleagues identify what a deepfake is, how deepfakes enable illegal activities, and how to spot a deepfake. Then it moves on to how frontline officers


victims when used to harass, bully, or intimidate them, or to create false alibis or falsely incriminate people. Phil wishes to reassure colleagues that the College’s deepfake product was specifically designed for those who are unsure about IT jargon, or uncertain of overly technical terms. He said: “It is a simple interactive


The College of Policing has reacted to the growing menace of deepfake by producing an innovative, easily accessible learning product. Released onto College learn and available to policing in England and Wales, the new deepfake training tool is aimed at frontline officers, staff, and volunteers. With digital investigation now considered business as usual for frontline policing, the e-learning module was created by the College of Policing as part of their progressive digital intelligence and investigation (DII) project. This delivers operationally focused training to help develop digital understanding and support the response to crimes. Phil Tebbs, the College of Policing’s


Digital Intelligence and Investigation team 50 | POLICE | JUNE | 2024


“This product helps colleagues identify what a deepfake is, how deepfakes enable illegal activities, and how to spot a deepfake.”


and staff should gather evidence, and vitally how they can provide victim care and safeguarding.” Deepfake content is easy for anyone to


create using low cost or free applications and software which are readily available and is often used in connection with child sexual exploitation (CSE), fraud, harassment, terrorism, and non- consensual pornography. Criminals also use deepfake to incite hatred, violence, and disorder, and it can be used to steal money or personal information, and to influence public opinion. It has a devasting effect on


format, with easy-to-follow investigative strategies to help identify and secure evidence. Our online learning is not designed to turn everyone into experts. It is designed to be practical and relevant, created by individuals who


understand frontline policing. “Since the College of Policing started releasing Operation Modify digital learning content in 2022, more than half a million instances of learning have been undertaken. There’s a growing demand within policing for bite sized training.”


To access the deepfake digital learning product and many other learning products, visit the College of Policing website and search for ‘College Learn.’ After registering for an account using your force email address, the College’s courses will be available free of cost


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