She was accused of faking an incriminating video of teenage cheerleaders. She was arrested, outcast and condemned. The problem? Nothing was fake after all

🌈 Abstract

The article explores the case of Raffaella Spone, a 50-year-old woman accused of using deepfake technology to cyberbully teenage cheerleaders on her daughter's cheer team. The story gained widespread media attention, but the charges were later reduced, and it was revealed that the videos and images were not actually deepfakes. The article examines the implications of the case, including the ease with which accusations of deepfakes can be made and the difficulty of disproving them, as well as the lasting damage to Spone's reputation.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Cheerleader Deepfake Controversy

1. What were the key allegations against Raffaella Spone?

• Spone was accused of using deepfake technology to create videos and images of teenage cheerleaders, including Madi Hime, that made it appear they were vaping, drinking, and posting revealing photos online.
• The police claimed the videos and images were "deepfakes" and that Spone had used "spoofing" software to send anonymous messages to the cheerleaders and their coaches.
• Spone was charged with several counts of harassment and cyberharassment of a child.

2. How did the police determine the videos and images were deepfakes?

• The police claimed they could tell the videos and images were deepfakes by examining the "metadata" behind them.
• However, the article notes that the police officer leading the investigation later admitted he had relied on his "naked eye" to determine the videos were deepfakes, rather than any sophisticated analysis.

3. What happened when the case went to court?

• When Spone finally appeared in court over a year later, the cyberharassment charges were dropped, and it was revealed the videos and images were not actually deepfakes.
• Spone was instead convicted of sending five anonymous text messages to the cheerleaders and their families, accusing the girls of inappropriate behavior.
• Spone maintains her innocence and is suing the district attorney's office and police for defamation.

[02] The World of Competitive Cheerleading

1. What is the nature of competitive, "all-star" cheerleading?

• Competitive cheerleading is a highly athletic sport that demands gymnastic, circus, and dance skills.
• It is an overwhelmingly female sport, with four million Americans participating each year.
• Cheerleading teams have specialized roles, such as "tumblers," "stunters," and "flyers," who perform acrobatic feats.
• Cheerleading is a high-stakes sport, accounting for 65% of spinal or cerebral injuries across all female athletes in America.

2. What is the significance of being on a successful cheer team like the Victory Vipers?

• Making the Victory Vipers team in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, can bring young people status and recognition in their community.
• Competitive cheerleaders can win college scholarships, become social media influencers, and gain lucrative branding deals.
• The Victory Vipers gym is described as a highly competitive and successful cheer squad that costs $4,950 per year to be part of.

[03] The Aftermath and Lasting Impact

1. What were the consequences for Raffaella Spone?

• Spone faced death threats, harassment, and social ostracization after the story went viral.
• She lost her job, her savings were depleted by legal fees, and she contemplated suicide due to the ordeal.
• Spone is now suing the district attorney's office and police for defamation and civil rights violations, seeking up to $20 million in damages.

2. How has the case impacted the cheerleaders and their families?

• The three teenage cheerleaders involved, Madi Hime, Kayla Ratel, and Noelle Nero, all left the Victory Vipers team after the scandal.
• Madi Hime has since gained fame and social media following due to the publicity around the case.
• Allie Spone, Raffaella's daughter, stopped cheerleading altogether and is now unhappy about her mother's continued pursuit of the case.

3. What are the broader implications of the "cheerleader deepfake" case?

• The case highlights how easily accusations of deepfakes can be made, and the difficulty of disproving them, even when the videos and images are not actually digitally manipulated.
• It demonstrates how the existence of deepfake technology can be used by people to sow doubt and distance themselves from their actions.
• The article suggests the "cheerleader deepfake mom" story was a "canary in the coalmine" for the growing problem of false deepfake claims.