Deepfake scams are becoming increasingly severe, and Bitdefender has now launched an app to address the concern.

      Bitdefender has introduced RealCheck, a deepfake detection tool intended for the times when fraudulent video scams appear as ordinary clips. This standalone application is currently available for both Android and iOS, allowing users to analyze uploaded files or links from various digital platforms.

      RealCheck assesses a video's authenticity while also screening for scam intentions in a single report. This encompasses indicators related to financial fraud, credential theft, impersonation, and attacks on reputation.

      Fake videos are now circulating in spaces where people make quick trust decisions. A well-produced clip in a social media feed or family conversation can lead someone to click on a link, make a payment, or share a password before they have a chance to pause.

      Credit: Bing Image Generator / Bing

      How RealCheck analyzes a video

      Users can upload a video from their device or submit a web-hosted clip, including posts from platforms like X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The app conducts a comprehensive analysis rather than simply providing a straightforward true-or-false outcome.

      The report includes information on the likelihood of manipulation, deceptive intent, and signals at the transcript level. Bitdefender claims that the app examines speech in segments, which aids in pinpointing where a dubious statement or modified part may be located.

      Synthetic videos are not inherently harmful. Some clips may be meant for satire, entertainment, or are clear edits, so RealCheck’s primary function is to identify indications that a video is attempting to facilitate fraud, theft, or impersonation.

      Challenges of trusting social feeds

      Support from major platforms gives RealCheck a practical function in daily life. The most challenging clips to evaluate often appear in feeds, where a recognizable face, urgent message, or seamless edit can appear believable long enough to be shared.

      Bitdefender references studies indicating that consumers accurately identified high-quality deepfakes only 24.5% of the time. Furthermore, it notes that social media has overtaken other channels as the primary venue for successful scams, based on its global survey of 7,000 consumers.

      Rob Lever / Getty Images

      While a detection tool can’t replace inherent skepticism, it offers an additional checkpoint before someone shares a clip, inputs a password, follows a payment request, or reacts to an impersonated public figure.

      What users should invest in now

      RealCheck is available in English across 14 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. Bitdefender plans to introduce more languages in future updates.

      The app features two subscription options. The Core plan costs $4.99 per month, allowing for 200 checks, while the Plus plan costs $12.99 per month with 600 checks. Both subscriptions offer a 7-day free trial.

      To maximize value, it's advisable to use the trial thoughtfully. Assess videos that request payment, logins, urgent actions, or involve familiar figures, then determine whether the monthly limit aligns with how frequently you encounter dubious clips.