Steve Harvey Declares War on Deepfake Scams Using His Identity

By Trong Ha (Source: CNN)
March 11, 2025

At the beginning of 2025, television host and media personality Steve Harvey said that scams using artificial intelligence to impersonate him have reached a breaking point.

Best known as the longtime host of Family Feud and a trusted voice on radio and television, Harvey has recently become a frequent target of AI-generated content. While some deepfake images portray him humorously — such as a rock star or fictional character — many others are far more dangerous.

According to Harvey, criminals are increasingly using AI to replicate his face, voice, and personal brand in order to carry out sophisticated online scams. In recent months, fake videos and audio clips have circulated widely, falsely showing Harvey encouraging people to claim non-existent “government grants” or free cash payouts.

One commonly shared scam video uses a voice nearly identical to Harvey’s, telling viewers: “I’ve been telling you for months to claim this free $6,400.” These clips have deceived countless users, leading to financial losses and misinformation.

Harvey is not alone. Other public figures, including Taylor Swift, Joe Rogan, and Scarlett Johansson, have also been targeted by deepfake scams. Johansson recently condemned AI-generated videos that falsely used her image to respond to controversial statements made by Kanye West.

In an interview with CNN at Tyler Perry Studios, Harvey expressed deep concern about the damage these scams cause to public trust.

“I’ve built my career on honesty and credibility,” Harvey said. “Scammers are exploiting that trust to hurt people. What worries me most is the harm done to everyday individuals who believe these lies.”

Pushing for Stronger Laws Against AI Impersonation

In response, Steve Harvey has taken a public stand, urging lawmakers to introduce stricter regulations against AI-generated impersonation. His advocacy has drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers, who are now reviewing multiple proposals aimed at holding both creators and platforms accountable.

One of the most significant proposals is an updated version of the No Fakes Act, introduced by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar, Marsha Blackburn, and Thom Tillis. The bill would impose legal liability on those who produce or distribute AI-generated content that falsely represents real individuals.

Another proposed law, the Take It Down Act, focuses specifically on combating AI-generated non-consensual explicit content. The bill has recently gained high-profile support, including backing from former First Lady Melania Trump.

Harvey strongly supports these legislative efforts, emphasizing that freedom of speech should not include the right to manipulate another person’s identity.

“Free speech doesn’t mean someone gets to steal your voice and twist your words,” he said. “That’s not freedom — that’s abuse. Congress needs to act now.”

Under current proposals, online platforms could face fines of $5,000 per violation, with penalties potentially reaching millions of dollars if fake content goes viral. However, civil rights organizations have raised concerns that overly broad regulations could threaten legitimate speech and lead to excessive lawsuits.

Technology Fighting Back Against Deepfakes

While lawmakers debate, AI technology continues to evolve at an alarming pace. Tracking and removing deepfake content remains extremely difficult — especially when it is generated by anonymous accounts.

One company addressing the issue is Vermillio, which has developed an AI monitoring platform called TraceID. The technology scans the internet for manipulated images, videos, and audio, helping celebrities and organizations identify and request the removal of fake content.

According to Vermillio CEO Dan Neely, deepfake production has exploded:

“In 2018, there were around 19,000 deepfake videos total. Today, we’re seeing nearly a million new pieces of deepfake content created every minute.”

Vermillio has tracked numerous scams involving fake versions of Steve Harvey, including AI chatbots that mimic his voice to promote online gambling schemes. The company uses digital fingerprinting techniques to distinguish authentic content from AI-generated material.

While celebrities may have access to such tools, Harvey warns that ordinary people remain largely unprotected.

“How many more people have to be hurt before real action is taken?” Harvey asked. “We need solutions now — not later.”