The violinist has warned her followers on social media to be vigilant of suspicious posts and to report impersonators
US violinist Hilary Hahn has been targeted by online scammers using AI to create video impersonations, and has warned her extensive following not to engage with suspicious posts.
The violinist, who is currently recovering from a double pinched-nerve injury, has 483,000 followers on Instagram, 148,900 followers on X (formerly Twitter) and 227,000 followers on Facebook. Taking to social media, she said:
’Hi all, I’ve received reports that someone has been using AI to create videos impersonating me. I’d like to reiterate that my only social media accounts are Facebook (@hilaryhahn), Instagram (@violincase), TikTok (@hilaryhahnofficial), Twitter (@violincase), and YouTube (@hilaryhahnvideos). Anyone reaching out from any other handle is neither me nor is it anyone affiliated with me.
’We have a very special community here, and I am so grateful to have such an incredible fanbase. Please know that neither I nor my management would ever reach out to ask for money in exchange for meetings, private lessons, backstage access, or any other services. If in doubt, please don’t engage with suspicious posts, and please continue to report impersonators.’
Several followers commented on Hahn’s post sharing their experiences of scam content. ’I had someone claiming to be you reach out to me yesterday morning and I knew immediately it wasn’t you… Do keep an eye out for this phenomenon. It’s horrible!’ said one follower.
Another commented: ’Somebody was impersonating Anne-Sophie Mutter on FB also - though not the whole AI bit. We need a remedy for this kind of thing.’
Hahn is the latest in a series of high-profile violinists targeted by online impersonations, including Itzhak Perlman and David Garrett, who has repeatedly fallen victim to accounts impersonating him on social media in recent years.
Read: Hilary Hahn withdraws from all concerts through November
Watch: Did AI just kill classical music? A video from violinist Daniel Kurganov
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