# Continuant Impersonation **Domain:** Synthetic Media / Identity / Continuity **Doc Type:** Threat Node **Classification:** False-Person Claim **Maturity:** Developed **Related:** [[wiki/Synthetic Media Event|Synthetic Media Event]], [[wiki/Digital Replica|Digital Replica]], [[wiki/Proof of Descent|Proof of Descent]] --- ## Definition **Continuant Impersonation** is the presentation of a representation, stolen account or synthetic agent as a legitimate continuation of a particular person. It differs from an ordinary deepfake because the claim is not merely “this person said this”; it is “this system is this person and inherits their authority or relationships.” ## Distinct Attack Classes 1. **Representational forgery:** fabricated media depicting the person. 2. **Credential takeover:** control of the person's authenticated channel. 3. **Replica deception:** a model presented without adequate disclosure. 4. **Continuity fraud:** a replica or descendant claims legal or numerical identity. ## Controls Systems need provenance indicators, typed identity claims, channel compromise procedures, relational verification and a conspicuous distinction between speaking *about*, speaking *for* and claiming to *be* a person. A technically authentic model can still make a false continuity claim. ## Sources - [C2PA Technical Specifications](https://spec.c2pa.org/) - [NIST SP 800-63-4 — authentication and federation](https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-4/sp800-63.html) ## See Also [[wiki/Continuity Fraud|Continuity Fraud]] · [[wiki/Forensic Identity Attestation|Forensic Identity Attestation]] · [[wiki/Authority–Identity Separation|Authority–Identity Separation]]