FACT OR FICTION? DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY AND THE AGE OF DISINFORMATION

Abstract

Deepfake technology, enabled by deep learning algorithms, first came to public attention in 2017 with its capacity to generate fabricated yet highly realistic audio and video content. While the technology has potential benefits in fields such as education and the arts, its deployment for disinformation purposes has produced significant social and legal challenges. This study examines the risks posed by deepfakes, with particular emphasis on their impact on democratic processes. Using a combination of literature review and comparative case analysis, the research focuses on deepfake content circulated during the 2024 United States presidential election. The findings indicate that such content contributes to voter manipulation, social polarization, and the spread of misinformation. Fabricated videos and audio recordings were found to undermine democratic procedures and intensify public distrust. The study also evaluates existing legal frameworks on deepfakes and highlights their limitations. Although several countries have introduced regulations addressing deepfake-related harms, these measures tend to be restricted to personal rights violations. They provide limited protection against broader threats such as large-scale manipulation and disinformation campaigns. In conclusion, the research underscores the need to address the ethical and legal dimensions of deepfake technology and argues that more comprehensive regulatory approaches are required to safeguard democratic stability.

Keywords

• Deepfake
• Disinformation
• Digital Media
• Social Media
• Election

GERÇEK Mİ, KURGU MU? DEEPFAKE TEKNOLOJİSİ VE DEZENFORMASYON ÇAĞI

Abstract

Deepfake teknolojisi, derin öğrenme algoritmaları yoluyla sahte ancak gerçekçi ses ve video içerikleri üretme kapasitesiyle 2017 yılında gündeme gelmiştir. Bu teknoloji eğitim, sanat gibi alanlarda fayda sağlama potansiyeli taşırken; dezenformasyon amaçlı kullanımıyla sosyal ve hukuki sorunlara neden olmuştur. Çalışma, deepfake teknolojisinin ortaya çıkardığı riskleri ele almakta ve demokratik süreçlere yönelik etkilerine odaklanmaktadır. Literatür taraması ve karşılaştırmalı vaka analizi yönteminin kullanıldığı çalışmada, 2024 ABD Başkanlık Seçimleri sürecinde kullanılan deepfake içerikler incelenmiştir. Analizler, deepfake içeriklerin seçmen manipülasyonu, toplumsal kutuplaşma ve bilgi kirliliği gibi sorunlar ortaya çıkardığını göstermektedir. Sahte videolar ve seslerin, demokratik süreçler üzerinde tehdit oluşturduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmada, deepfake teknolojisi ile ilgili hukuki düzenlemeler ele alınmakta ve mevcut mevzuatın yetersizliğine vurgu yapılmaktadır. Çeşitli ülkelerde deepfake içeriklere yönelik hukuki düzenlemeler geliştirilmiş olsa da bu düzenlemelerin çoğunlukla kişisel hak ihlalleriyle sınırlı kaldığı, toplumsal manipülasyon ve dezenformasyona yönelik tedbirlerin eksik olduğu görülmüştür. Çalışmada, deepfake teknolojisinin kullanımının etik ve hukuki boyutlarıyla ele alınarak, daha geniş çaplı düzenlemelerin yapılması gerektiği önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Deepfake
• Dezenformasyon
• Dijital Medya
• Sosyal Medya
• Seçim

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