Protect Yourself Against Digital Threats: Deepfakes and Decoy Apps
Amsterdam, vrijdag, 9 mei 2025.
With the rise of deepfakes and decoy apps, the digital threat increases, which can have consequences as concerning as sexual abuse. Just last week, Marthe Goudsmit Samaritter from the Max Planck Institute highlighted this issue. This article provides practical advice for protecting yourself by limiting your online presence, scrutinising apps and websites, and keeping your software up-to-date. Despite the growing threat, prevention remains possible. Legislation also plays a role: in the Netherlands, deepfakes created without consent are punishable, ensuring victims are protected. The importance of media literacy is emphasised as an essential tool to recognise and address threats in a timely manner. The focus is on strengthening personal digital security and awareness to navigate an increasingly technology-dominated world.
The Rise of AI-driven Deepfakes: A Driving Force Behind Fake News
In today’s digital society, artificial intelligence (AI) plays an ambiguous role, both in the creation and combating of fake news. Deepfakes, an advanced form of AI-generated media, are increasingly used to spread misinformation. This technology allows for the creation of realistic-looking videos and audio recordings in which individuals appear to say or do things they never actually did [1]. Although the technology is impressive, it poses significant threats to media literacy and democratic processes. For instance, during election periods, false images and audio recordings can be used to deceive voters and manipulate public opinion [2].
Technology Fight Back: Tools and Applications
Against the threats posed by AI, the development of powerful anti-fake news tools also utilising AI presents a counter. An example is Signicat’s layered approach, which combines biometrics and AI for effective fraud detection within milliseconds [3]. These tools are deployed in real-time to identify and eliminate deepfakes, aiming to protect both individual and corporate identities from false representations [4]. Platforms like Best Wallet use AI to prevent malicious attacks in the crypto sector, highlighting the need for comprehensive security solutions [5].
The Importance of Media Literacy: Educational Efforts
Media literacy is becoming increasingly crucial as a defence against the growing flood of fake news. Education and awareness programmes play an essential role in this. By teaching individuals how to assess the authenticity of information, they can better arm themselves against misleading content [6]. The recently launched APRIL PR label is a prime example of this, with its focus on promoting authentic stories and collaboration in the media [7].
Practical Tips: How to Recognise Fake News?
To recognise fake news, it’s important always to check the source of information. Watch out for unrealistically perfect images or videos, and try to find other sources that confirm the information. Don’t blindly trust social media for news, as platforms often primarily distribute unverified information [8]. It is recommended to enable alerts and automatic notifications on platforms that offer reliable news sources, such as news aggregators [9].