"Ah, It's So Easy to Deceive Me...":  The Phenomenon of Political Deepfake in Runet Communication Practices

Svetlana A. Shomova

doi:10.17323/cmd.2025.30456

Svetlana A. Shomova HSE University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0959-9278

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17323/cmd.2025.30456

Keywords: artificial intelligence, deepfake, political deepfake

Abstract

Political deepfakes are a recent addition to our everyday communication landscape, rapidly expanding into the modern media sphere. They offer significant opportunities but also pose serious risks. This article delves into the academic discourse surrounding this phenomenon, exploring key theoretical frameworks for understanding deepfakes (such as taxonomies, classification systems, and verification methods). It proposes a working definition of political deepfakes and identifies their primary forms within the Russian internet space.

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Author Biography

Svetlana A. Shomova, HSE University

Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor

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