Norton has begun offering early access to AI-powered deepfake protection within its Norton 360 mobile apps in several countries, including New Zealand.
The feature, known as Norton Deepfake Protection, is available through the Genie AI Assistant as part of the Norton Genie Scam Protection suite. Initially accessible only on some Microsoft Copilot+ PCs, the technology is now available to mobile users with Android and iOS devices, enabling consumers without AI-specific hardware to benefit from the protection.
Detection capabilities
The tool can analyse audio and visual content, identifying signs of manipulation that could indicate the presence of AI-generated deepfakes. Its functions include the detection of AI-generated voices that might be used in fraudulent schemes and the spotting of subtle inconsistencies or deformations in the facial features of people shown in videos.
If a deepfake is identified, users receive cyber safety guidance and recommendations on their next steps directly from the Genie AI Assistant. The service currently supports the analysis of English-language YouTube videos, with the ability for users to upload video links and obtain real-time feedback regarding authenticity. Support for additional languages and platforms is planned for future updates.
Protecting digital trust
"As AI-generated voices and faces become harder to distinguish from the real thing, trust is rapidly becoming one of the most fragile elements of our digital lives," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "The line between truth and deception is blurring, especially when malicious actors can abuse AI to create scams that replicate voices and imagery with startling realism. This is why we've made our deepfake protection accessible to people who don't have AI hardware, so they can confidently navigate and consume digital content without second-guessing what they see or hear."
According to Norton, the rise in AI-generated audio and video content increases the potential for scams, particularly those involving fake voices or impersonations. By offering tools that evaluate both the sound and appearance of digital content for authenticity, the company aims to support individuals and families in verifying what they encounter online.
Initial rollout and future plans
The early access version of Norton Deepfake Protection is currently being made available to users in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Coverage is provided across both Android and iOS platforms, with the company stating that support for desktop devices is expected soon.
Norton has indicated that deeper integration of deepfake protection capabilities will continue, with plans to extend the solution to AI PCs running on Intel chipsets later in the year. The company also intends to introduce further advanced detection features for both desktop and mobile users.
The Genie AI Assistant will notify users if a piece of analysed content is determined to be an AI-generated scam, providing guidance on how to respond. For now, the feature is designed specifically for reviewing YouTube video content in English, but development is ongoing to broaden its usage across additional platforms and formats.
Norton has stated its commitment to enhancing cyber safety measures to counter the rise in sophisticated online fraud that makes use of artificial intelligence, by making protections available to the general public without the need for specialised devices.
