TikTok Removes AI Weight Loss Ads from Fake Boots Account
TikTok has recently taken action against misleading advertisements targeting weight loss drugs from a fraudulent account impersonating the health and beauty retailer, Boots. Below are the key details surrounding this important issue.
Fake Ads and AI Claims
– The fake adverts showcased smiling healthcare professionals purportedly from Boots but were generated using AI technology.
– Advertising prescription-only weight loss drugs to the public is illegal, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.
– A representative from Boots confirmed to the BBC that the company had reported these videos to TikTok, leading to their removal.
– TikTok responded by stating it does not permit harmful or misleading AI-generated ads on its platform.
Ongoing Concerns
– Despite the removal of the videos, the fraudulent account, seemingly operating from Hong Kong, was able to re-upload the exact content.
– Once notified again, TikTok deleted the account to prevent further violations.
Weight Loss Treatments and Regulations
– Weight loss injections have been available through the NHS in England since late June, but they require a prescription, with patients needing to meet strict eligibility criteria.
– The counterfeit Boots account linked its videos to a website selling weight loss drugs, featuring testimonials that were either AI-generated or lifted from other sources without permission.
– The TikTok videos depicted workers seemingly consuming a blue liquid, followed by dramatic weight loss transformations.
Expert Insights
– AI expert Sam Gregory commented, AI now makes it trivially easy to generate a convincing series of videos or images showing an apparent change in a plausibly real generic health professional, or to impersonate specific health professionals wholesale.
– He emphasized the importance of how quickly platforms act upon discovering scams, noting that major brands like Boots receive prioritized attention compared to individual business owners.
Health Risks Associated with Counterfeit Products
– Other videos from the same fraudulent account featured repurposed content from real individuals sharing their weight loss journeys without consent.
– The fake account used branding and names similar to Boots’ official TikTok handle, @BootsOfficial.
– Boots clarified that its genuine social media advertising is conducted solely through its official account, @BootsUK.
Warnings from Regulatory Bodies
– The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) cautioned against purchasing counterfeit weight loss medications.
– A spokesperson stated, Weight loss medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking these medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health with no guarantees about what they contain.
TikTok’s Commitment to Safety
– TikTok reiterated its pledge to enhance detection methods for AI-generated content and continued to prohibit the depiction, promotion, or trade of controlled substances.
In conclusion, the removal of AI weight loss ads from a fake Boots account underscores the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital space. TikTok’s actions highlight a commitment to maintaining a safe environment for users, though challenges remain in combating sophisticated scams.