The Rise of Voice Cloning and Its Threat to WhatsApp Voice Notes

1 min read
voice cloning ai technology

In today’s world, artificial intelligence has become an essential part of our daily lives. It has brought about significant advancements in various industries, but it has also given rise to a worrying trend. What started as a fun tool for voice recreation has now become a significant threat to users of voice-enabled technology such as WhatsApp voice notes.

The Malicious Use of Generative AI

The advancement of AI technology has given criminals the ability to create deep fakes of individuals’ voices. This has led to an increase in instances of realistic voice scams, leaving users of voice-enabled technology vulnerable. Criminals have been using AI generative technology to clone people’s voices, posing a significant threat to businesses and individuals alike.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

The Reality of Voice Scams

Various scams have been perpetrated through WhatsApp voice notes, including kidnapping hoaxes, fake interactions on trading platforms such as Gumtree, and requests for passwords or money from friends or family. These scams are often difficult to detect, leaving users at risk of falling prey to criminals’ malicious intentions.

The Need for Protection

To protect oneself from such threats, it is essential to implement strong authentication processes, particularly for financial transactions. Relying solely on a WhatsApp voice note from one individual should not be considered sufficient for initiating monetary transfers or changing a password. Individuals should also be educated and vigilant about the risks associated with voice-enabled technology.

As AI technology continues to advance, individuals and businesses alike must remain vigilant. With the rise of voice cloning and its potential misuse, it is crucial to be aware of the risks associated with voice-enabled technology. By implementing strong authentication processes and staying educated about these risks, individuals and businesses can safeguard against the malicious use of AI in voice cloning and beyond.

Sizwe Dlamini is a Cape Town-based journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene, from boeka picnics in the Bo-Kaap to seafood braais in Khayelitsha. Raised on the slopes of Table Mountain, he still starts every morning with a walk to the kramat in Constantia before heading out to discover whose grandmother is dishing up the best smoorsnoek that day.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

A Leap Forward in Conservation: The Western Leopard Toad Underpass Project

Next Story

South Africa’s SPAR Proteas Netball Team Gears Up for 2023 World Cup Glory

Latest from Blog

Forty Metres of Air: The Morning Kiteboarding Rewrote Physics

Hugo Wigglesworth, a young kiteboarder, defied gravity and rewrote the record books by soaring an incredible 40 meters into the air. He used powerful winds, a perfectly timed jump off a wave, and special gear to achieve this amazing feat. His careful planning and hundreds of practice runs made him fly higher than anyone before, showing the world what’s possible in kiteboarding.

Airbnb Under Fire: How Cape Town’s Housing Crunch Became a Tourism Blame-Game

Cape Town’s housing woes are NOT really Airbnb’s fault, even though a viral photo tried to blame them! The real problem is that not enough homes are being built, and lots of new people are moving to the city. Getting building permits takes forever, making homes expensive. Airbnb brings in lots of money and jobs, and even if all Airbnbs disappeared, it wouldn’t fix the big housing shortage. The city needs to build more homes and make it easier to do so, not just point fingers at tourists.

Cape Town’s Hottest Tables: Where Summer Tastes Like Salt, Smoke and Midnight Vinyl

Cape Town’s new restaurants are super exciting, offering amazing tastes from the ocean, farms, and even old recipes. Places like Amura serve unique sea dishes, while Tannin has a huge wine list and tiny plates. Café Sofi bakes heavenly pastries, Beach Buns makes awesome burgers, and Le Bistrot de JAN mixes French and South African flavors. These spots let you taste the city’s lively food scene, from fancy dinners to casual beach eats, making every meal an adventure.

Between Concrete and Current – Four Inland Hearts Meet the Indian Ocean

This article tells a beautiful story of four South Africans from inland places who see the Indian Ocean for the very first time. For many, the sea is just a picture, far away and hard to reach. But when these brave people finally touch the salty water, it changes them deeply. They feel the ocean’s power, taste its salt, and understand that this huge, blue world is now a part of their own story, breaking down old ideas about who can connect with the sea.