Welcome to the Deepfakes Tracker research portal, a public-facing research hub that tracks and contextualizes the evolving use of deepfakes and synthetic media online developed by the Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. The portal is designed to serve as a resource for policymakers, researchers, journalists, the public, and other stakeholders to learn more about the prevalence of deepfakes and manipulated or out-of-context media and narratives in our information ecosystem. Deepfakes are synthetic media, including text, image, audio, and video, that have been manipulated or altered deceptively using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and techniques. The term “deepfake” combines “deep learning”—the AI technology behind these creations—and “fake,” reflecting the artificial nature of the depicted events or individuals.

Deepfakes: A Threat to Democracy

The rapid advancement of AI-driven technologies has brought unprecedented challenges to the political stability of democratic societies. Audio and visual deepfakes that can convincingly mimic real people have been used to spread disinformation, distort political discourse, and sow confusion during elections and major events. The potential for deepfakes to erode trust in legitimate news sources, political figures, and democratic institutions is profound, further complicating an already contentious information ecosystem.

As bad actors increasingly turn to deepfakes to manipulate public opinion, projects like DeepfakesTracker.org are critical in raising public awareness and building resiliency. By providing a centralized platform to monitor and analyze deepfakes, the site helps users stay informed about this growing threat and builds resilience against disinformation. Its educational resources and real-time tracking not only inform the public but also empower journalists and civic leaders to identify and counter digital deception more effectively.

How DeepfakesTracker.org Can Help

In addition to tracking deepfakes and providing insights on how they are linked semantically, DeepfakesTracker.org aims to foster a more informed and vigilant society that is more resilient to disinformation by offering valuable educational resources, such as an FAQ section and interactive games, designed to improve digital literacy. By making these resources widely accessible, the portal encourages critical thinking and proactive measures in identifying and reporting harmful content, ultimately helping to protect democratic processes from manipulation.