logo
#

Latest news with #OakValleyHealth

Markham Stouffville pharmacist allegedly masquerading as deepfake porn pedlar, under investigation
Markham Stouffville pharmacist allegedly masquerading as deepfake porn pedlar, under investigation

Hamilton Spectator

time22-05-2025

  • Health
  • Hamilton Spectator

Markham Stouffville pharmacist allegedly masquerading as deepfake porn pedlar, under investigation

A pharmacist at Oak Valley Health, which encompasses Markham Stouffville and Uxbridge hospitals, is under investigation by both his employer and the pharmacist college after a media report listed him as a key figure running a deep fake AI pornography website. David Do was named in a CBC report on May 7 after an extensive investigation into his activities with MrDeepFakes[dot]com, the largest of this type of website in the world. The website hosts thousands of deepfake porn videos where the images of celebrities, politicians, social-media influencers, other public figures as well as random people are made to appear, in realistic fashion, as though they are engaging in sexual activities. Some of them are violent. Viewers can also find deepfake creators on the website and hire them for hundreds of dollars to do work on specific videos with anyone's image. Do is on leave from his work as a pharmacist, according to Oak Valley Health. '(The) CBC published a story containing serious and concerning allegations against an Oak Valley Health employee,' wrote its communication and public affairs department in a statement to Metroland. 'The story alleges involvement in the distribution and creation of AI generated 'deep fake' pornography. This employee is not currently working at any of our sites. In consultation with legal counsel and in accordance with corporate policies, an internal investigation will be conducted.' Meanwhile the Ontario College of Pharmacists said it is also investigating 'the conduct of this registrant.' 'As the investigation process is confidential, we are not able to provide any further details. Generally, the purpose of an investigation, which is conducted thoroughly and impartially, is to gather facts and evidence related to a registrant's alleged professional misconduct or incompetence and to present them to the inquiries, complaints and reports committee (ICRC),' the statement reads. The ICRC can refer a registrant to its disciplinary committee, which can revoke or suspend the certificate of accreditation, impose terms, conditions or limitations on the certificate, order a fine, order payment of the college's costs and expenses, and reprimand the registrant. MrDeepFakes has now shut down, citing the loss of a 'critical service provider' that has terminated service permanently.

GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO
GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO

Yahoo

time13-05-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO

A hospital pharmacist alleged to be a key figure behind a popular deepfake porn site is now on leave, according to the CEO of the Toronto-area hospital network that employs him. Last week, CBC News's visual investigations unit — in collaboration with open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — published an investigation that found David Do, a pharmacist in the Oak Valley Health network, played a prominent role in the operations of MrDeepFakes, which went offline this month, was the most popular site globally for deepfake porn. The site hosted tens of thousands of non-consensual and sometimes violent deepfake videos and images of celebrities, politicians, social media influencers and private citizens, including Canadians. Do's alleged role in the site was pieced together using data from the web, public records and forensic analysis of the site. In light of the allegations, Do is not working at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital while an internal investigation is conducted, Oak Valley Health president and CEO Mark Fam told CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday. "He's off right now," Fam said, without going into detail about the nature of Do's leave. "I want to be clear that as an organization, we unequivocally condemn the creation or distribution of any form of violent or non-consensual sexual imagery," Fam said. "We have to do our investigation to understand the allegations brought forward." Fam said hospital staff and patients have raised concerns since the allegations against Do were made public. "Our focus right now is taking care of our team," Fam said. Oak Valley's internal investigators are working closely with the Ontario College of Pharmacists as they look into the allegations, he added. The Ontario College of Pharmacists' code of ethics says no member should engage in "any form of harassment," including "displaying or circulating offensive images or materials." The college previously told CBC News the allegations "are extremely serious" and that it was "taking immediate steps to look into this matter further and determine the necessary actions we need to take to protect the public." WATCH | How a Toronto pharmacist secretly helped run a notorious porn site: Do has not responded to multiple requests for comment emailed by CBC News over a period of several weeks. When a reporter hand-delivered a letter to Do at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where he was working as an in-patient pharmacist on April 11, he said, "I don't know anything about that." On May 5, a CBC News reporter again approached Do in an attempt to interview him about his role in the website. Do told the reporter he didn't want to be recorded and that he was busy, before driving away in his vehicle. went offline on May 4, just before the findings of the joint investigation were published. Although sharing non-consensual deepfake porn is illegal in several countries, including Australia, South Korea and the U.K., it's not a crime in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to pass a law criminalizing it during his federal election campaign.

GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO
GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO

Yahoo

time13-05-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO

A hospital pharmacist alleged to be a key figure behind a popular deepfake porn site is now on leave, according to the CEO of the Toronto-area hospital network that employs him. Last week, CBC News's visual investigations unit — in collaboration with open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — published an investigation that found David Do, a pharmacist in the Oak Valley Health network, played a prominent role in the operations of MrDeepFakes, which went offline this month, was the most popular site globally for deepfake porn. The site hosted tens of thousands of non-consensual and sometimes violent deepfake videos and images of celebrities, politicians, social media influencers and private citizens, including Canadians. Do's alleged role in the site was pieced together using data from the web, public records and forensic analysis of the site. In light of the allegations, Do is not working at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital while an internal investigation is conducted, Oak Valley Health president and CEO Mark Fam told CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday. "He's off right now," Fam said, without going into detail about the nature of Do's leave. "I want to be clear that as an organization, we unequivocally condemn the creation or distribution of any form of violent or non-consensual sexual imagery," Fam said. "We have to do our investigation to understand the allegations brought forward." Fam said hospital staff and patients have raised concerns since the allegations against Do were made public. "Our focus right now is taking care of our team," Fam said. Oak Valley's internal investigators are working closely with the Ontario College of Pharmacists as they look into the allegations, he added. The Ontario College of Pharmacists' code of ethics says no member should engage in "any form of harassment," including "displaying or circulating offensive images or materials." The college previously told CBC News the allegations "are extremely serious" and that it was "taking immediate steps to look into this matter further and determine the necessary actions we need to take to protect the public." WATCH | How a Toronto pharmacist secretly helped run a notorious porn site: Do has not responded to multiple requests for comment emailed by CBC News over a period of several weeks. When a reporter hand-delivered a letter to Do at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where he was working as an in-patient pharmacist on April 11, he said, "I don't know anything about that." On May 5, a CBC News reporter again approached Do in an attempt to interview him about his role in the website. Do told the reporter he didn't want to be recorded and that he was busy, before driving away in his vehicle. went offline on May 4, just before the findings of the joint investigation were published. Although sharing non-consensual deepfake porn is illegal in several countries, including Australia, South Korea and the U.K., it's not a crime in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to pass a law criminalizing it during his federal election campaign.

GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO
GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO

CBC

time13-05-2025

  • Health
  • CBC

GTA pharmacist allegedly behind deepfake porn site now on leave, says hospital network CEO

Social Sharing A hospital pharmacist alleged to be a key figure behind a popular deepfake porn site is now on leave, according to the CEO of the Toronto-area hospital network that employs him. Last week, CBC News's visual investigations unit — in collaboration with open-source investigative outlet Bellingcat and Danish publications Politiken and Tjekdet — published an investigation that found David Do, a pharmacist in the Oak Valley Health network, played a prominent role in the operations of MrDeepFakes, which went offline this month, was the most popular site globally for deepfake porn. The site hosted tens of thousands of non-consensual and sometimes violent deepfake videos and images of celebrities, politicians, social media influencers and private citizens, including Canadians. Do's alleged role in the site was pieced together using data from the web, public records and forensic analysis of the site. In light of the allegations, Do is not working at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital while an internal investigation is conducted, Oak Valley Health president and CEO Mark Fam told CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday. "He's off right now," Fam said, without going into detail about the nature of Do's leave. "I want to be clear that as an organization, we unequivocally condemn the creation or distribution of any form of violent or non-consensual sexual imagery," Fam said. "We have to do our investigation to understand the allegations brought forward." Fam said hospital staff and patients have raised concerns since the allegations against Do were made public. "Our focus right now is taking care of our team," Fam said. Oak Valley's internal investigators are working closely with the Ontario College of Pharmacists as they look into the allegations, he added. The Ontario College of Pharmacists' code of ethics says no member should engage in "any form of harassment," including "displaying or circulating offensive images or materials." The college previously told CBC News the allegations "are extremely serious" and that it was "taking immediate steps to look into this matter further and determine the necessary actions we need to take to protect the public." WATCH | How a Toronto pharmacist secretly helped run a notorious porn site: The notorious AI porn kingpin with a double life 5 days ago Duration 6:46 MrDeepFakes was the world's most notorious website for non-consensual deepfake porn until CBC's visual investigations team — along with partners Bellingcat, Tjekdet and Politiken — exposed the Canadian pharmacist who played a key role in the site. Support is available for anyone who has experienced sexual violence. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website ( or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database ( If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. Do has not responded to multiple requests for comment emailed by CBC News over a period of several weeks. When a reporter hand-delivered a letter to Do at Markham Stouffville Hospital, where he was working as an in-patient pharmacist on April 11, he said, "I don't know anything about that." On May 5, a CBC News reporter again approached Do in an attempt to interview him about his role in the website. Do told the reporter he didn't want to be recorded and that he was busy, before driving away in his vehicle. went offline on May 4, just before the findings of the joint investigation were published. Although sharing non-consensual deepfake porn is illegal in several countries, including Australia, South Korea and the U.K., it's not a crime in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to pass a law criminalizing it during his federal election campaign.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store