US politicians and scientists have warned the country is " ineffective " in preventing the rise of unregulated , user - generated fake videos , known as deepfakes . Officials are looking to social networks and video sites to stem the trend amid growing fears that national security and elections , as well as people 's privacy , could be at risk . According to Pew research , around 80 % of US respondents said deepfakes and altered videos had negatively affected their understanding of current affairs ' basic facts .
US politicians and scientists have warned the country is "outgunned" in tackling the rise of unregulated, computer-generated fake videos, known as deepfakes. Officials are looking to social networks and video sites to stem the flow amid growing fears that national security and elections, as well as people's reputations, could be at risk. According to Pew Research, around 66% of US respondents said deepfakes and altered videos had negatively affected their understanding of current affairs' basic facts.