Deepfakes Misused to Promote Dubious Weight Loss Pills
amsterdam, zondag, 28 september 2025.
AI expert Bart van der Sloot warns against deepfakes where well-known Dutch faces such as Diederik Gommers and Marion Koopmans are used to endorse miracle pills. These forgeries can lead to distrust in the media and public misinformation. According to Van der Sloot, soon 90% of online content will be manipulated, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake.
Deepfakes Misused for Weight Loss Pills
AI expert Bart van der Sloot warns against deepfakes where well-known Dutch faces such as Diederik Gommers and Marion Koopmans are used to endorse miracle pills. These forgeries can lead to distrust in the media and public misinformation. According to Van der Sloot, soon 90% of online content will be manipulated, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake [1].
Impact on Trust
Diederik Gommers, intensive care physician, emphasises that deepfakes can have serious consequences for the health of people who buy these pills. He states: ‘We already see too many cases where people are putting their health at risk by purchasing dubious products promoted through deepfakes [2].’ Marion Koopmans, virologist, adds: ‘The use of deepfakes for commercial purposes is a new form of deception that needs to be addressed quickly [2].’ The deepfakes are often so realistic that people cannot distinguish them from real videos, which increases the deception [2].
Regulation and Awareness
Bart van der Sloot advocates for stricter regulations and awareness campaigns to combat the dangers of deepfakes. He advised the government in 2022 to take more stringent legal measures [1]. Facebook responds that they are combating persistent scammers and removing accounts that misuse public figures [1]. There is a need for a broad awareness campaign from the government to encourage people to think critically about online content [1].
Practical Tips for Readers
To identify fake news and deepfakes, readers can apply the following practical tips: Always check the source of the news and use reliable media. Seek confirmation of the news from multiple sources. Look out for poorly written or misspelled texts, and be cautious of sensational headlines. Rely on official websites and institutions for important information. If something seems too good to be true, it often is [1][2].