Don’t use AI-based apps, Philippine defense ordered its personnel

The Philippine defense ordered its personnel to stop using AI-based applications to generate personal portraits.

The Philippine defense warned of the risks of using AI-based applications to generate personal portraits and ordered its personnel to stop using them.

On October 14, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. issued the directive to ban the AI-based applications.

“Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. issued the order in an Oct. 14 memorandum, as Philippine forces have been working to weaken decades-old communist and Muslim insurgencies and defend territorial interests in the disputed South China Sea.” reported the Associated Press.

Teodoro ordered “to refrain from using AI photo generator applications and practice vigilance in sharing information online”

At this time, it remains unclear whether the order was issued in response to a specific event or to address potential attacks aimed at exploiting the data collected by these applications.

The memorandum specifically warned against the use of a digital app that creates a digital avatar after the users submit at least 10 pictures of themselves. Then the avatar can be used to mimic how the real users speak and move.

The order remarks that these AI-based applications pose significant privacy and security risks.

“This seemingly harmless and amusing AI-powered application can be maliciously used to create fake profiles that can lead to identity theft, social engineering, phishing attacks and other malicious activities,” Teodoro said. “There has already been a report of such a case.”

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Philippine defense)