Lee Ji-hye, AI impersonation ad victim... Chinese underwear and food ads "I didn't shoot them."

2026-06-18 · Source: Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Incident Database · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Singer Lee Ji-hye issued a public warning on the 17th regarding fraudulent online advertisements that illegally use her face and likeness to promote products. Through her SNS, Lee Ji-hye clarified that she did not film these ads, which specifically feature items such as underwear and food. She reported receiving numerous direct messages concerning these deceptive promotions and strongly advised her followers against clicking on any associated links or making purchases. This incident highlights a growing concern over portrait rights infringement and the misuse of celebrity images, potentially through AI-generated content or deepfakes, to mislead consumers online. Her alert serves as a crucial caution against falling victim to such scams circulating on various digital platforms.

Key takeaway

For consumers encountering online advertisements, you must exercise extreme caution, especially with celebrity endorsements. If an ad seems suspicious or promotes unexpected products from a known figure, do not click on any links or make purchases. Verify the authenticity of such promotions through official channels to avoid falling victim to deepfake or AI-generated scams that infringe on portrait rights and aim to defraud you.

Key insights

AI-generated or deepfake ads exploit celebrity likenesses for fraudulent sales.

Principles

• Celebrity images are vulnerable to deepfake misuse.
• Online ads require user vigilance against scams.
• Portrait rights infringement is a growing issue.

In practice

• Verify ad authenticity before clicking.
• Report suspicious celebrity-endorsed ads.
• Avoid purchases from unverified links.

Topics

• AI Deepfakes
• Portrait Rights Infringement
• Online Advertising Fraud
• Celebrity Impersonation
• Consumer Protection
• Digital Scams

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Director of AI/ML, General Interest, Tech Journalist, AI Ethicist

Related on AIssential

• Lee Ji-hye hit by AI-impersonation ads… Underwear and food ads “I didn’t film that” — AI-generated impersonation ads are misusing public figures' likenesses without consent, prompting public warnings.
• Irish PM warns about deep-fakes after financial scam video — AI-generated deepfakes pose a significant threat for financial scams and political misinformation, requiring public vigilance.
• Baytown college educator charged with creating AI-generated explicit images of minor - Click2Houston — AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery is a growing concern, leading to criminal charges and legislative responses.
• Image of Thai police in sparkly dresses with handcuffed suspect turns out to be AI fake — AI-generated images from official sources increasingly challenge media outlets' ability to verify content, despite obvious absurdities.
• YouTube expands its AI likeness detection technology to celebrities - TechCrunch — YouTube's likeness detection system identifies AI-generated content to protect public figures from unauthorized identity use.
• The shock of seeing your body used in deepfake porn — AI-generated deepfakes exploit adult content creators' bodies and likenesses, creating "embodied harms" and legal challenges.

See Counsel's argued verdicts on the open AI decisions leaders are weighing →

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Incident Database.