The Rise and Fall of Taiwan YBB: Exploiting Deepfake Technology for Profit

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Rise and Fall of Taiwan YBB
3. Controversial Content and Arrest
4. The Truth Revealed: Xiaoyu's Real Identity
5. Deepfake Technology and its Positive Uses
6. Xiaoyu's Exploitation of Deepfake for Profit
7. Impact on Victims and Public Outrage
8. Legal Actions and Government Response
9. Deepfake Technology in Malaysia
10. Laws and Penalties for Deepfake Crimes

The Rise and Fall of Taiwan YBB

📌 The Taiwan millions YouTuber, Xiaoyu, known as Taiwan YBB, was a popular figure who had gained a significant following over the years. However, his fame quickly turned to infamy when he was suddenly arrested by the police on October 18th for committing sex offenses and offenses against reputation.

📌 Xiaoyu's arrest came as a shock to many, as he had been retired from YouTube for over a year. The reason behind his arrest was revealed to be his involvement in the production and distribution of pornographic content using the photos of artists and influencers.

Controversial Content and Arrest

📌 Xiaoyu's videos were often filled with controversial and attention-grabbing content. From showcasing his lavish lifestyle to engaging in bizarre acts, his videos always sparked controversy. One of his most infamous controversies involved him drinking breast milk and making derogatory comments about it, which stirred debates about insulting women, food safety, and spreading false information.

📌 His use of flying knives in one of his videos also led to an investigation by the police. Despite these controversies, Xiaoyu continued to gain popularity and remained in the spotlight. It wasn't until June 21, 2020, when he apologised to mothers in Taiwan for his actions while kneeling in a video, that he finally decided to retire from his YouTube career.

The Truth Revealed: Xiaoyu's Real Identity

📌 In an influencer documentary on TV, Xiaoyu revealed that the character Xiaoyu was not his true self but a persona created to gain popularity. The character had done many childish and outrageous things to attract attention and generate clickbait. At a press conference, Xiaoyu announced that the character had "graduated" and would no longer appear as Xiaoyu in the future.

📌 This revelation left the media puzzled about Xiaoyu's current career and whereabouts. Xiaoyu happily disclosed that he had been investing in U.S. stocks and making a small profit during his time away from being an influencer. However, recent news has revealed the truth behind his earnings – he had been using face-changing AI technology to create adult videos and make substantial profits.

Deepfake Technology and its Positive Uses

📌 The organization behind Xiaoyu's illegal activities operated by using a technology called Deepfake. Deepfake refers to the application of artificial intelligence-based human body image synthesis technology. It allows existing photos or movies to be superimposed onto target photos or videos, creating a realistic and often deceptive result.

📌 Although Deepfake technology has positive uses, such as helping Disney create realistic film composite images or allowing genealogy companies to recreate realistic appearances of deceased loved ones, it can also be exploited for malicious purposes.

Xiaoyu's Exploitation of Deepfake for Profit

📌 Xiaoyu's organization used Deepfake technology to create face-changing adult videos and generate substantial profits. The organization operated by unlawfully altering the photos of celebrities and YouTuber friends, turning them into adult content, and using them for commercial purposes.

📌 The videos were sold individually or through group admission fees and various methods such as voting, fundraising, and customization. The business model proved to be highly lucrative, with estimated earnings surpassing NT$1.3 million, or even more than NT$6 million.

Impact on Victims and Public Outrage

📌 The victims of Xiaoyu's exploitation, including popular Taiwanese internet celebrity Zamy and several political figures and artists, expressed anger and disappointment. Zamy was particularly affected, as her portrait rights were violated, and her face-changing adult video became freely available for viewing.

📌 The incident sparked public outrage as the full extent of Xiaoyu's actions became known. The violation of privacy and the use of personal images for adult content production led to widespread condemnation.

Legal Actions and Government Response

📌 The Taiwanese government swiftly responded to the incident, pledging to strengthen the prevention and control of technological crimes like face-changing pornography. They promised to revise existing laws to provide stricter penalties for such offenses.

📌 In Malaysia, where the incident also raised concerns about deepfake technology, there are existing laws and penalties for crimes committed using technology. However, there is a need for further updates and amendments to adequately address deepfake-related issues.

Deepfake Technology in Malaysia

📌 Deepfake technology has garnered attention in Malaysia, with instances such as the controversial video involving Senior Minister Azmin Ali. Despite expert analysis suggesting the video's authenticity, it remains a topic of debate, highlighting the challenges faced in regulating deepfake-related crimes.

Laws and Penalties for Deepfake Crimes

📌 In Malaysia, several laws exist to combat deepfake-related crimes, including laws regarding obscene materials, film censorship, and communications and multimedia offenses. Engaging in the creation, distribution, downloading, or reposting of deepfake adult videos can lead to severe penalties, such as imprisonment and substantial fines.

Conclusion

📌 Xiaoyu's story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of exploiting technology for personal gain. The incident has shed light on the need for stricter laws and regulations to protect individuals' privacy and combat deepfake-related crimes. As technology continues to advance, it is essential to remain vigilant and ensure that safeguards are in place to prevent the misuse of emerging technologies.

Highlights

• Taiwan YBB, Xiaoyu, arrested for sex offenses and offenses against reputation.
• Controversial content and the breast milk controversy.
• Xiaoyu reveals his true identity and illicit use of deepfake technology.
• Positive and negative aspects of deepfake technology.
• Exploitation of deepfake for profit and impact on victims.
• Government response and legal actions.
• Deepfake technology in Malaysia and lack of specific laws.
• Laws and penalties for deepfake crimes in Malaysia.

FAQ

Q: What is deepfake technology? A: Deepfake technology is an AI-based technology that allows existing photos or videos to be superimposed onto target photos or videos.

Q: How did Xiaoyu make money from deepfake technology? A: Xiaoyu used deepfake technology to create face-changing adult videos and made significant profits by selling them.

Q: What are the legal consequences for deepfake offenses in Taiwan? A: The Taiwanese government has vowed to revise existing laws and impose stricter penalties for deepfake-related offenses.

Q: Are there any laws in Malaysia to address deepfake crimes? A: Malaysia has laws and penalties in place to combat deepfake-related offenses, but further updates and amendments are needed.

Q: What is the impact of deepfake technology on privacy? A: Deepfake technology poses a significant threat to privacy as it allows the unauthorized use of personal images for nefarious purposes.

Resources: None Mentioned