Imagine a political candidate giving a controversial speech or a world leader having an inflammatory conversation, only to find out that none of it is true. This is the disturbing reality of political deepfakes, which are becoming increasingly common.
We already live in an era where facts are constantly under siege, but the rise in deepfake attacks makes this an even more pressing threat.
Political deepfakes fuel misinformation, undermine democratic institutions, and contribute to political polarization.
This article explores the potential impact of deepfakes on the 2024 US election and deepfake incidents around the world. We also introduce strategies to counter them, including deepfake detection.
What are political deepfakes?
Political deepfakes are AI-generated synthetic media that manipulates videos, audio, or images of politicians to deceive viewers, often for malicious reasons.
Deepfakes can fabricate speeches and alter footage of election debates. These allow for very real changes that may go undetected to the untrained eye, making them a powerful tool for those seeking to deceive voters and undermine the integrity of elections.
The multifaceted impact of deepfakes on the political landscape
Weaponizing misinformation: Propaganda in the digital age
There is no denying that deepfakes have become a propaganda tool, allowing malicious actors to manipulate political narratives. Its use to spread falsehoods and undermine democratic processes is escalating globally.
Recent examples of political deepfakes around the world include*:
Moldova: Pro-Western President Maia Sandu has been the target of repeated deepfake attacks. A particularly damaging video was leaked just before local elections, falsely showing Sandu supporting a pro-Russian party and announcing his resignation. Taiwan: A deepfake video circulating on TikTok earlier this year showed U.S. Representative Rob Whitman pledging to increase U.S. military aid to Taiwan, raising concerns about U.S. intervention in the region. It has increased. Slovakia: Shortly before parliamentary elections, audio clips featuring fabricated arguments about beer price hikes and vote fraud were leaked online, potentially influencing public opinion just before a crucial election. Bangladesh: Opposition lawmaker Rummin Farhana, a vocal critic of the ruling party, was mistakenly depicted as wearing a bikini, sparking outrage in the conservative Muslim-majority country. “They trust everything they see on Facebook,” Farhana said.
*Source: Election disinformation is making great strides as AI is used for deception around the world.
undermine trust in democratic institutions and the media
Trust in the media plays a vital role in maintaining democracy, ensuring individuals are informed and able to participate in civil debate. In the US this year, the FCC banned AI-generated robocalls aimed at disincentivizing voters.
When voters cannot tell the difference between real and fake, an environment of skepticism is created. Ultimately, a lack of trust in reliable information leads to disengagement and disillusionment with government.
The polarization of trust is particularly pronounced in the United States. Recent data shows that levels of trust in mass media vary widely by political party. Such disparities highlight differences in how different groups perceive media credibility, further reinforcing political polarization.
Impact on electoral processes and voter manipulation
Voter manipulation is a particularly worrying consequence of political deepfakes. Deepfakes can spread misinformation to confuse voters and ultimately influence election results. It also targets groups with low awareness of emerging technologies.
The widespread availability of such content raises ethical questions about election integrity and highlights the need for robust deepfake detection software to mitigate these risks.
Examples of political deepfakes in the 2024 election
Political deepfakes are already playing a key role in the 2024 election.
For example, deepfake detection software has discovered manipulated videos of politicians, including deepfakes of Vice President Kamala Harris and robocalls of Biden.
Learn how Pindrop deepfake detection technology uncovered the text-to-speech (TTS) engine behind Biden’s AI robocalls.
Strategies to counter political deepfakes
deepfake detection software
Cutting-edge deepfake detection software like Pindrop® Pulse™ Inspect is essential in the fight against political deepfakes. These tools can detect discrepancies between audio and video, helping to verify the authenticity of media before it is released to the public.
The real-time capability of audio liveness detection is critical to preventing the unchecked spread of manipulated media.
Integrate multiple detection methods
A comprehensive approach to combating deepfakes involves integrating multiple detection methods, including:
Real-time detection Continuous evaluation Noise immunity, reverberation, compression Explainable analysis Zero-day attacks
Multi-layered protection provided by Pindrop® Pulse™ technology supports more accurate detection and faster response times.
Cross-sector collaboration to address the deepfake threat
Tackling the challenges posed by political deepfakes requires collaboration across sectors. Governments, media companies, and cybersecurity experts must work together to create a united front against the threat of deepfakes.
Developing universal standards for synthetic media authentication and media verification protocols will help protect democratic processes.
Reduce the threat of political deepfakes today
Looking to the future, governments, media companies, and individuals will need to take proactive steps to protect themselves from the rise of political deepfakes.
Leveraging the right technology can reduce the impact of political deepfakes. Learn more about how Pindrop® Pulse™ Inspect can help you verify the trustworthiness and trustworthiness of your content.
