Engaging with deepfakes: a meta-synthesis from the perspective of social shaping of technology theory

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of how individuals engage with deepfakes, focusing on limiting adverse effects and capitalizing on their benefits.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on deepfakes, incorporating study-specific analysis followed by a cross-study synthesis.FindingsBased on the meta-synthesis, the study developed an integrated conceptual framework based on the perspectives from the social shaping of technology theory embedding deepfake-related assertions, motivations, the subtleties of digital platforms, and deepfake-related repercussions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study offers crucial insights into the evolving nature of deepfakes as a socio-technical phenomenon and the significance of platform dynamics in deepfake production. It enables researchers to comprehend the cascading effects of deepfakes and positions them to evaluate deepfake-related risks and associated mitigation mechanisms.Practical implicationsThe framework that emerges from the study illustrates the influence of platforms on the evolution of deepfakes and assists platform stakeholders in introducing effective platform governance structures to combat the relentless proliferation of deepfakes and their consequences, as well as providing guidance for governments and policymakers to collaborate with platform leaders to set guardrails for deepfake engagement.Originality/valueDeepfakes have been extensively contested for both their beneficial and negative applications and have been accused of heralding an imminent epistemic threat that has been downplayed by some quarters. This diversity of viewpoints necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. In responding to this call, this is one of the first to establish a comprehensive, theoretically informed perspective on how individuals produce, process, and engage with deepfakes through a meta-synthesis of qualitative literature on deepfakes.

تقنية التزييف العميق: تحليل شامل لتداعياتها وتأثيرها المجتمعي (مقابلة متعمقة مع الخبراء)

“…Secondly, a meta-synthesis drawn from the Social Shaping of Technology theory provides an integrated conceptual framework that encapsulates the multifaceted interactions individuals have with deepfake technology. This synthesis aids in comprehending the roles played by digital platforms in shaping user engagement with deepfakes and the broader consequences of such engagement (Vasist & Krishnan, 2022).…”

“…Through an analysis of the tactics utilized to mitigate negative consequences and investigate possible advantages, this study provides a comprehensive perspective on deepfakes as a sociotechnical occurrence. This statement highlights the intricate consequences of deepfakes on the operations of platforms and the wider digital ecosystem, emphasizing the need for an equitable strategy to tackle the obstacles and prospects they give rise to (Vasist & Krishnan, 2022).…”

Guest editorial: The social, ethical, economic and political implications of misinformation

“…In particular, the three papers on this theme focus on the deepfake technology. Vasist and Krishnan (2023) conduct a meta-synthesis to contextualize deepfakes as a sociotechnical phenomenon and highlight the platform dynamics in deepfakes' production. The authors provide a framework acknowledging the motivations to create deepfakes, how digital platforms facilitate deepfakes' fabrication and dissemination, and possible interventions to limit their spread online.…”