Beyond the Synthetic Veil: Deepfake Technology and the Future of Media Ethics
Students & Supervisors
Student Authors
Supervisors
Abstract
Background: Deepfake technology has progressed very fast, which has accelerated the creation of synthetic media challenging digital communication's traditional understandings of authenticity and ethical standards. The spread of deepfakes, specifically in gender-oriented and non-consensual uses, has emerged as a pressing concern relating to media trust, regulatory sufficiency, and social consequences. Purpose: This research seeks to investigate the contemporary status of deepfake technology, assess responses in terms of detection and regulation, and reflect upon ethical consequences for media integrity. The null hypothesis is that detection and governance measures in place are inadequate to offset increasing deepfake threats. Methodology: We adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of deepfake prevalence in surveys (n > 95,000 in 2023) and detection efficacy (precision p=0.72, recall r=0.68 of current state-of-the-art), with qualitative examination of law in leading jurisdictions and codes of ethical professional practice. Media literacy programs and blockchains for confirmation were included in our research as well. Results: Reportedly, there has been a 550% spike in deepfake content from 2019 onwards, where 98% of unauthorized deepfakes have been against women. Detectors demonstrate remarkable declines in performance against new generation methods, reflecting an arms race between detectors and creators. Regulatory action is patchy, where California and the EU have been at the forefront of holistic legislation. Media literacy initiatives enhance identification, yet there are lapses in vulnerable communities. Conclusion: Deepfake technology poses increasingly challenging questions to media ethics, necessitating adaptive detection, coordinated regulation, and strong education programs. Scalable solutions to authentication and cross-border coordination of policy are necessary for research in the future in order to preserve digital trust.
Keywords
Publication Details
- Type of Publication:
- Conference Name: International Conference on Challenges and Trends in Arts and Social Sciences (ICCTASS 2025)
- Date of Conference: 11/12/2025 - 11/12/2025
- Venue: American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB)
- Organizer: FASS, AIUB