Studio Erasmus Discusses the Impact of Deepfakes on Media and Society
rotterdam, woensdag, 8 oktober 2025.
During the event ‘Deepfakes’ on Tuesday 7 October 2025 in Rotterdam, Studio Erasmus will delve into the challenges and solutions surrounding deepfake scams, fake news, and other forms of misleading content. Experts will discuss the technology, ethical implications, and legal measures, including the extension of copyright to faces and voices as a potential solution.
Expert Discussion on Deepfakes and Their Impact
At the event ‘Deepfakes’ on Tuesday 7 October 2025 in Rotterdam, Studio Erasmus from Erasmus University discussed the challenges and solutions surrounding deepfake scams, fake news, and other forms of misleading content. The discussion was led by experts who examined the technology, ethical implications, and possible legal measures. Prof. Dr. Evert Stamhuis (Erasmus School of Law) discussed legal ways to combat deepfake scams, fake news, and pornography, including extending copyright to faces and voices [1].
Technological Aspects of Deepfakes
Deepfakes are created using advanced AI technologies capable of generating realistic videos and audio recordings that make it appear as though people are saying or doing things they did not actually say or do. This technology is becoming increasingly accessible, thereby increasing the threat of misleading content. Dr. Pieter Kruizinga (BrainEcho Lab - Erasmus MC) explained that the rapid development of this technology makes it difficult to keep up with preventive measures [1].
Ethical Implications and Societal Impact
The ethical implications of deepfakes are significant. They can be used to defame individuals, misuse personal information, and even sabotage political campaigns. Prof. Dr. Evert Stamhuis emphasised that current legal frameworks are not fully aligned with these new forms of deception. He proposed extending copyright to protect faces and voices, which could help mitigate the damage caused by deepfakes [1].
Practical Measures and Technical Solutions
In addition to legal measures, technical solutions have also been developed to detect and combat deepfakes. Infoblox, a company specialising in networks and security, presented at the conference ‘DNS Under Siege’ on 21 October 2025, how threat actors use DNS to commit deepfake-driven fraud. The session revealed the hidden infrastructure behind phishing, scams, malware, and deepfake-driven fraud, and offered actionable strategies to strengthen DNS defenses [2].
Media Literacy and Democracy
The spread of deepfakes and fake news also has a significant impact on media literacy and democracy. It is crucial that citizens learn how to distinguish reliable information from misleading content. Prof. Dr. Evert Stamhuis suggested that schools and universities should pay more attention to media literacy, so that young people are better prepared for the challenges of the digital world [1].
Practical Tips for Readers to Identify Fake News
To combat the spread of fake news and deepfakes, we offer the following practical tips for readers:
- Check Sources: Always verify the source of the news. Reliable news sources generally have a reputation for being accurate and honest.
- Consult Multiple Sources: Compare information from various sources to get a more comprehensive picture.
- Use Fact-Checking Sites: Websites such as Snopes, FactCheck.org, and Full Fact can help verify claims.
- Observe Technical Details: Look for small technical details in videos and photos that may indicate manipulation.
- Think Critically: Always be critical and ask yourself if the news is logical and if it fits with other known facts.
By following these tips, readers can better protect themselves against the spread of misleading content [1][2].