Apple co-founder Wozniak says YouTube ignored fraudulent Bitcoin promotion

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, has raised serious concerns regarding the misuse of his likeness in a fraudulent Bitcoin scheme circulating on YouTube. He warned that deepfake scams are increasingly targeting well-known figures in the tech world, including notable personalities like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. In an interview with CBS News, Wozniak described how scammers manipulated an old video of him discussing Bitcoin, incorporating it into a deceptive promotion that promised to double any Bitcoin sent to a specified wallet address. The fraudulent activity came to light when his wife, Janet, received an email from an individual who had fallen victim to the scam, inquiring about reimbursement. Wozniak revealed that some victims reported losing their entire life savings to this scam. "This is a crime," he stated emphatically, emphasizing the importance of taking action against such wrongdoing. He expressed frustration over YouTube's lack of response to his repeated requests for the removal of the fraudulent content. Most communications with the platform were conducted through lawyers, and even direct appeals from Janet were met with silence. He articulated that this situation exemplifies a larger issue in the fight against online scams, highlighting the billions lost annually to cryptocurrency and AI-driven fraud. Wozniak lamented the insufficient efforts being made to combat these types of schemes, stating, "There is not enough muscle behind these efforts." Reflecting on the broader implications, he noted that the internet's initial promise of democratizing information has been compromised. Wozniak criticized the evolution of major technology platforms that prioritize tracking user behavior and generating revenue through targeted advertisements. Despite his ongoing connection to Apple, he expressed disappointment that his warnings about online fraud seldom receive the attention they deserve. "Nobody buys my voice," he remarked, cautioning that without more robust interventions, scams that exploit public figures are likely to continue thriving.