On November 9th, journalist Kanta Hara reported in his latest video that a YouTube video appeared to have reproduced his voice using AI. Hara stated that he neither recorded the narration in question nor authorized the use of his voice. Hara's channel has 403,000 subscribers.
The incident came to light after a viewer reached out to him. The viewer who heard the voice initially thought Hara had started a new channel. Hara showcased a portion of the problematic audio in his own video, explaining that it is highly likely his voice was reproduced by AI.
Hara, who has reported from conflict zones and poverty-stricken areas, stated that this is "an issue that directly impacts the credibility of my reporting and public communication." He expressed concern that political statements he doesn't support, or events he hasn't witnessed firsthand, could be disseminated as if they were his own words.
Hara has recorded and saved the video and is currently considering his next steps. He urged viewers not to believe that a video or advertisement is authentic just because the voice sounds similar to his. Comments on his video included reports from users who had flagged the content on YouTube, as well as pledges to verify sources in the future.
YouTube advises that individuals can file a privacy infringement claim to request the removal of content that reproduces their voice or face using AI. The decision to remove content is made based on factors such as whether the individual can be identified and if the content constitutes satire or parody.
Made with AI
