Seattle-based startup Hiya recently announced the launch of its Deepfake Voice Detector, a free Google Chrome extension designed to detect deepfake audio and video content using AI technology. The tool can identify deepfake voices generated by voice cloning tools with just a second of audio. Deepfakes, which use voice impersonation and video manipulation, are becoming increasingly difficult to detect with advancing technology.
Hiya has integrated AI into its caller ID, call blocking, and spam protection services to combat fraud, and the Deepfake Voice Detector expands this technology to analyze voice content in multiple languages across various platforms. The company’s models are trained to detect subtle audio artifacts unique to AI-generated voices, allowing them to identify deepfakes imperceptible to the human ear. With the increasing prevalence of deepfakes, Hiya aims to provide a tool that can help users differentiate between real and fabricated content.
In a survey conducted by Hiya, 2,000 consumers reported exposure to audio deepfakes, with personal voice calls being the primary risk factor. Social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube were also identified as top sources of exposure. Hiya’s AI Voice Detection technology is used by nonprofit organization TrueMedia, which is focused on detecting deepfakes and combating disinformation ahead of the election. TrueMedia recently released a web-based tool available to everyone for analyzing content for evidence of manipulation.
Hiya’s Deepfake Voice Detector was first revealed when the company acquired deepfake detection company Loccus.ai in July. The tool is part of Hiya’s efforts to address the increasing challenge of deepfake detection and prevent cybercriminals from exploiting voice cloning technology for scams and misinformation campaigns. With the rise of deepfakes affecting major events like elections, the need for reliable detection tools has become more critical.
In addition to Hiya, organizations like TrueMedia and Microsoft have developed tools and quizzes to educate users on detecting deepfakes. TrueMedia’s tool allows users to analyze social media posts for evidence of manipulation in real-time, providing a valuable resource for journalists, fact-checkers, and the general public. Hiya, a finalist for Innovation of the Year at this year’s GeekWire Awards, has raised significant investment funding and continues to develop AI-powered solutions for protecting users from fraudulent activities.
Founded in 2016 and ranked No. 12 on the GeekWire 200 list, Hiya has established itself as a leading player in the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem. With its focus on leveraging AI technology to detect and combat deepfakes, the company is contributing to the ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by misinformation and fraudulent content online. By expanding its capabilities to include deepfake detection, Hiya is playing a key role in safeguarding users from the growing threat of manipulated audio and video content.
