Quick Read: Impacts of Deepfakes on Communities and Individuals

The Wiz July 18, 2024Last Updated: August 17, 2024

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Deepfakes impacts on society and individuals

The proliferation of deepfake technology has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond individual incidents. This section explores the broader societal and personal impacts of deepfakes.

A. Erosion of Trust in Media

1. Challenge to Information Integrity

Deepfakes contribute to the growing “information disorder,” making it increasingly difficult for people to distinguish between real and fake content.
A 2019 Pew Research Center study found that about two-thirds of Americans view altered videos and images as a major problem for democracy.

2. Amplification of “Liar’s Dividend”

The mere existence of deepfake technology allows bad actors to dismiss authentic content as fake, a phenomenon known as the “liar’s dividend.”
Example: In 2018, the President of Gabon Ali Bongo appeared in a video after months of absence due to illness. Opposition leaders claimed the video was a deepfake, leading to a failed coup attempt.

B. Psychological Effects on Victims

1. Emotional Trauma

Victims of deepfake pornography report experiences similar to those of sexual abuse survivors, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
A 2020 study in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction found that deepfake victimization can lead to long-lasting psychological harm.

2. Reputation Damage

Even after debunking, deepfakes can leave lasting damage to a person’s reputation.
The “sleeper effect” in psychology suggests that people may remember the content of a message but forget that it was discredited, potentially leading to long-term reputation issues for deepfake victims.

C. Legal and Ethical Challenges

1. Inadequate Legal Frameworks

As of 2023, only a handful of countries have specific laws addressing deepfakes, leaving many victims without clear legal recourse.
In the U.S., laws vary by state, with California being one of the first to pass legislation specifically targeting malicious deepfakes in 2019.

2. Consent and Privacy Issues

Deepfakes raise complex questions about consent and the right to one’s own image.
The technology challenges existing notions of privacy, as anyone’s likeness can potentially be used without their knowledge or permission.

D. Potential for Blackmail and Extortion

1. Personal Threats

The ability to create convincing fake videos or images opens new avenues for blackmail, especially in the realm of fake intimate content.
Law enforcement agencies, including Europol, have warned about the increasing use of deepfakes in sextortion schemes.

2. Corporate and Political Risks

Deepfakes pose a threat to corporate security, with potential for fake videos of executives to manipulate stock prices or damage company reputations.
Political figures are at risk of blackmail or coercion through the threat of releasing seemingly authentic but fabricated compromising content.

The impacts of deepfakes on communities and individuals are profound and multifaceted. They challenge our fundamental trust in what we see and hear, potentially reshaping social dynamics, legal systems, and personal security. As the technology continues to evolve, addressing these impacts will require a combination of technological solutions, legal frameworks, and public education initiatives.

This post is part of the “Quick read” series: The Rise of Deepfakes: When Seeing is No Longer Believing

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