Tom Hanks Warns Fans About ‘Wonder Drug’ Online Ads That Use His Likeness ‘Through AI’: ‘Do Not Be Fooled. Do Not Be Swindled.’

As a seasoned cinephile with decades of movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Tom Hanks has always been a beacon of authenticity and integrity on the silver screen. His latest warning about fraudulent ads using his likeness and voice to peddle questionable products is yet another reminder of his unwavering commitment to truth and transparency.


Tom Hanks didn’t offer you any illicit substances. On Thursday night, the actor took to Instagram to alert followers about misleading online advertisements peddling ‘miracle cures’ and ‘wonder drugs’, which falsely use an AI-generated voice resembling his without his explicit permission.

“Across various online platforms, there are numerous misleading advertisements that exploit my identity, appearance, and voice to peddle miracle cures and magical pills. These ads were produced without my authorization, deceptively, and by employing AI technology,” Hanks stated in the post, which he titled as a “public advisory.”

The actor emphasized that he has no connection to those posts, the associated productions, or the individuals promoting these supposed cures. He personally manages his type 2 diabetes under the care of a board-certified doctor and strongly advises against being misled or defrauded. Please be cautious with your money.

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This isn’t the first instance where the actor has cautioned others about advertisements that manipulate his appearance using AI technology to sell questionable services. Back in October, Hanks took to Instagram to issue a similar warning regarding a promotional video which employed a deepfake of himself to advertise a dental plan.

“ATTENTION! Hanks cautioned in his post, emphasizing the warning just as strongly. It seems there’s a video circulating about a dental plan that features an AI version of me. Rest assured, I am not involved in any way.”

In the U.S., where there’s less oversight due to a lack of strict government regulations, unapproved deepfakes are increasingly spreading misinformation online. These fake representations can tarnish the reputations of public figures who might unwittingly be mimicked.

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2024-08-30 06:16