AI fake doctor used for anti-aging ads; distributor sent to prosecutors

South Korean authorities have taken action against a distributor for using an artificial intelligence-generated "fake doctor" to make exaggerated anti-aging claims for ordinary food products. The Food and Drug Safety Ministry (MFDS) announced it has sent the company to prosecutors on charges of violating the Food Labeling and Advertising Act.

The distributor allegedly used deepfake technology to create a virtual doctor who appeared in online advertisements, including on YouTube. This AI persona made enticing claims such as "reverse aging" and "removal of aging cells," urging viewers to consume the products for "definite changes within a month."

Investigations revealed that the company marketed processed goods, including vitamin C and yeast-based items, as having anti-aging effects. From September 2025 to May of the current year, the company reportedly sold approximately 650,000 units, generating about 8.1 billion won (approximately $5.9 million USD) in revenue.

Under current South Korean law, individuals such as doctors, pharmacists, and university professors are prohibited from endorsing or recommending products in advertisements. The MFDS considers the use of AI-generated fake experts as a deceptive practice aimed at consumers. To address this emerging issue, the ministry has pushed for amendments to the Food Labeling and Advertising Act, the Cosmetics Act, and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. These revisions specifically ban advertisements featuring AI-created fake experts promoting pharmaceuticals, food, or cosmetics, thereby strengthening the legal basis for crackdowns.

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If you don't want to become young again, don't even touch it. I recommend it only for those who want definite changes within a month.