what can the comparatively garden-variety niche nerd do? [...] Like Geerling, feel equally sad / angry / frustrated
For this kind of misuse, the person needs to have some fame, or it's not interesting to steal their voice. In such cases, their fame can be used for retribution. E.g. I can't imagine that this will be good for the reputation of Elecrow in the end. Next time I read the name of this company, I'll think oh it's that company that is scamming people, not good for them.
I am more worried about the cases where someone uses this to e.g. get rid of a they don't like. E.g. imagine some university lecturer that has done nothing wrong, a student is not happy with their grade, use voice cloning to imply that the lecturer said something that could get them fired. With voice cloning getting really good, how can someone like that defend themselves? (Until this becomes so commonplace recordings are not trusted anymore.)
For this kind of misuse, the person needs to have some fame, or it's not interesting to steal their voice. In such cases, their fame can be used for retribution. E.g. I can't imagine that this will be good for the reputation of Elecrow in the end. Next time I read the name of this company, I'll think oh it's that company that is scamming people, not good for them.
I am more worried about the cases where someone uses this to e.g. get rid of a they don't like. E.g. imagine some university lecturer that has done nothing wrong, a student is not happy with their grade, use voice cloning to imply that the lecturer said something that could get them fired. With voice cloning getting really good, how can someone like that defend themselves? (Until this becomes so commonplace recordings are not trusted anymore.)