Meta Is Letting Fake AI-Generated Doctors Sell Quack…

AI-generated avatars posing as credible doctors and health gurus have proliferated across platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where they promote dubious supplements and unproven medical advice. These campaigns frequently target vulnerable populations, including older individuals, by using synthetic personas designed to appear trustworthy or relatable.

What happened

The ads utilize a consistent formula to build credibility, often featuring avatars in clinical settings with fake diplomas or in familiar suburban environments. Some videos depict "average people" endorsing products from locations like grocery stores or bedrooms. The content creators leverage AI to produce these videos at high volume and low cost; one unidentified company claims to generate 1,200 videos daily at roughly $10 per unit.

The health claims made in these advertisements are often misleading or dangerous. For instance, one campaign for a product called Sculptique falsely asserted that its herbal supplement could treat kidney disease more effectively than medical treatment. Another case involved a supplement brand called Rosabella, which advertised on Facebook; federal regulators eventually recalled the product due to salmonella contamination, with consumers reporting worsening health after use.

While platforms like Meta and TikTok have policies regarding AI labeling and misleading health content, researchers found that many of these videos remain active. The sophisticated nature of the avatars makes it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish synthetic media from reality. Advertisers have also been observed adapting their language to circumvent enforcement, such as using phrases like "weight management" instead of "lose weight." These ads, which would likely be illegal if broadcast on traditional American television, continue to operate within the looser regulatory environment of social media.