TikTok Owner Signs Agreement to Prevent Actors From Being Replicated by AI

Earlier this year, copyright infringements hit the headlines as creators were found to be able to use AI to generate fictional projections of actors in different settings and clips. With one notable example being a clip of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise fighting on a rooftop (something that never happened), ByteDance – which owns TikTok – was asked to put in measures that would stop the unauthorised use of actors’ visuals and other intellectual property on screen. 

And it seems as if steps have been taken, with this week’s announcement of an agreement having been reached.

What Does the Agreement Mean?

For all users and TikTok browsers who are worried about being drawn in by fake and artificially produced content, this agreement is welcome news.

It essentially states that ByteDance is taking steps to prevent its video creation tool from being able to use and manipulate images and visuals of real actors and other IP owned by motion pictures organisations. The aim is to protect the property of these organisations – while also preventing actors’ images from being used unlawfully to reproduced fake videos. 

Of course, one of the biggest questions revolves around how this issue can be policed. With creators across TikTok using known faces and AI-curated visuals to draw in new followers, engage pools of existing followers, and build loyalty, the app needs to be able to police its various creative tools and stop recognisable images from being used misleadingly.

But at least, with an agreement being reached, the conversation has started about how best to protect intellectual property and the image and reputation of known actors. 

Have you seen any AI-generated footage recently that contained falsified images of known individuals?