Navigating Deceptive Realities: Public Perceptions and Cybersecurity Threats of Deepfake Technology

Abstract

The rapid advancement of deepfake technology presents a profound cybersecurity threat by seamlessly fabricating synthetic media, which severely erodes digital trust. This study aims to evaluate the community's awareness of deepfake threats and assess the necessity of multifaceted mitigation strategies. Employing a quantitative methodology, an online survey was conducted with 67 respondents, predominantly young adults, to measure their exposure, psychological vulnerability, and perspectives on cybersecurity countermeasures. The findings reveal that while the public is generally aware of deepfakes, 75 per cent struggle to visually differentiate manipulated content from authentic media. Consequently, the proliferation of deepfakes has diminished perceived societal trust in online information. Notably, there is a unanimous consensus among respondents demanding strict legal frameworks and comprehensive public education to combat this menace. The study concludes that relying exclusively on technical detection algorithms is insufficient. Instead, preserving information integrity requires a multidisciplinary approach combining robust technological defences, proactive policymaking, and widespread digital literacy trainings.