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Company Used AI 'Fake Doctors' for $6 Million in False Food Advertising
🇰🇷 South Korea /Health & Science

Company Used AI 'Fake Doctors' for $6 Million in False Food Advertising

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • South Korean authorities have busted a company that used AI-generated virtual doctors to falsely advertise food products.
  • The company allegedly sold 8.1 billion won (approximately $6 million USD) worth of products by making claims about reducing "body age" and anti-aging effects.
  • The Food and Drug Safety Ministry is pushing for legal revisions to prohibit AI-generated experts from endorsing products, citing a rise in such deceptive advertising.

South Korean regulators have exposed a company that allegedly used artificial intelligence to create virtual doctors, deceiving consumers with false advertising for food products. The company is accused of selling approximately 8.1 billion won ($6 million USD) worth of goods by falsely claiming they could reduce "body age" and offer anti-aging benefits.

The Food and Drug Safety Ministry (MFDS) reported that the distribution company, identified as 'A', and its representative, 'B', used AI to generate realistic-looking virtual doctors. These AI figures appeared in online shopping malls and YouTube videos, recommending processed goods like vitamin C and yeast-based supplements as having effects on bodily tissues, specifically promoting "body age reduction" and "reverse aging."

The MFDS is pushing for legal revisions to prohibit AI-generated experts from endorsing products, citing a rise in such deceptive advertising.

— Food and Drug Safety Ministry (MFDS)The ministry's statement on the growing issue of AI-generated endorsements and planned regulatory action.

Investigations revealed that between September of last year and May, the company sold about 650,000 products. The MFDS stated that such advertising, which involves doctors, pharmacists, or professors recommending or endorsing products, is prohibited under the Food Labeling and Advertising Act. To prevent further harm, the ministry requested the removal of these deceptive videos from online platforms last November.

This case highlights a growing trend of using AI-generated virtual influencers for advertising. The MFDS noted a significant increase in advertisements featuring AI-created virtual characters, including experts like doctors and professors, or even celebrities, who are difficult to distinguish from real people. In response, the ministry is pushing for amendments to laws like the Food Labeling and Advertising Act and the Cosmetics Act. These proposed changes aim to create clear legal grounds to ban advertising where AI-generated fake experts recommend or endorse food, cosmetics, or medicines. The revised bill passed the National Assembly on April 23rd.

This case highlights a growing trend of using AI-generated virtual influencers for advertising.

— Food and Drug Safety Ministry (MFDS)The ministry's observation on the increasing use of AI in marketing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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