Impersonation of Disability Advocates

According to an analysis by CBS News Confirmed, over thirty accounts were identified that mimic real disability advocates. These profiles, often using deepfake technology and AI-generated imagery, craft feel-good posts and videos to attract followers.

Messages such as “Be proud of yourself and your differences!” and “So grateful I never gave up on my dream,” are employed to generate engagement and mimic authentic voices in the disability community.

Commercialization of Fake Accounts

Exploiting hashtags like #DownSyndrome and #DownSyndromeAwareness, these impostor accounts quickly gather large followings, often outpacing genuine advocates.

• One account, boasting over 130,000 followers, openly promoted adult content.
• Another account misleadingly claimed to raise funds for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), only to be later taken down.

The Ethical Concerns

For members of the Down syndrome community, these impersonations represent another form of discrimination. Alex Bolden, an advocate with Down syndrome, stated, “It’s not right to steal our stories just to get attention online.” He emphasized the personal investment and effort genuine advocates put into sharing their journeys.

Michelle Sagan, from NDSS, has also voiced concern over the misuse of individuals’ images, pointing out that friends’ identities are often exploited in these AI-generated posts.

NDSS President & CEO, Kandi Pickard, stressed the importance of allowing only individuals with Down syndrome to share their unique experiences and perspectives, highlighting the need for better representation and respect.

Responses from Social Media Platforms

CBS News reached out to major platforms, including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, regarding how they are addressing AI-generated impersonations. Each platform confirmed action taken against the accounts identified by CBS News, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining their community standards.

However, the ongoing nature of this issue means that new accounts can emerge quickly, complicating efforts to combat this trend. Pickard stated, “We need everyone’s help identifying and reporting these fake accounts as they continue to arise.”