Help! Is That Video Real or Deepfake? The 2025 Anti-Hoax Guide
Hello digital community! Paul here, ready to guide you into the crazy world of fake news and deepfakes. Get ready, because it's one of those times when the web feels like a theme park where you no longer know what's real and what's fake. Let's fasten our seatbelts!
"I saw it online, so it must be real!"
How many times have you heard this phrase? Or worse, how many times have you thought it yourself? Come on, confess it .
We live in an age where distinguishing the real from the fake online has become a superpower. And guess what? Today I'm going to teach you how to become a digital verification superhero!
Deepfakes: When AI Gets a Little Too Creative
Deepfakes are like those relatives who tell exaggerated stories at Christmas dinner, but with a Hollywood budget. They are media manipulated with artificial intelligence that can make real people appear to say or do things they never did.
How they work
- AI "studies" thousands of images and videos of a person
- Learn his movements, expressions, way of speaking
- Create a compelling digital model
- Apply this template to other videos or audio
- And behold : your favorite politician is now dancing the Macarena on live TV!
How to spot a deepfake
1. Observe the strange details
Deepfakes often have minor issues with:
- Eyes : Glasses that appear to "float" or unnatural reflections
- Facial edges : Blurring or inconsistencies when the person moves
- Teeth and hair : often look slightly "off", like a haircut after a few too many beers
2. Pay attention to the context
Ask yourself:
- Would this person really say/do this?
- Is the source that published the content reliable?
- Are other mainstream media reporting the same story?
TinEye: Your New Best Friend
If images had a private detective, it would be TinEye. It's a reverse image search tool that lets you find out where an image came from and whether it's been altered.
How to Use TinEye (It's Easier Than Programming the Remote)
- Go to tineye.com
- Upload the suspicious image or paste the URL
- Click "Search"
- Review the results to see if the image appears elsewhere or in different versions
Practical Test: Test Your Fake News Hunting Skills
Here are some questions to ask yourself when you see suspicious content:
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Is the source reliable? (No, "MemeDellaZiaGiuseppina.it" is probably not a verified journalistic source)
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Are there any grammatical or typographical errors? (Fake news often seems to have been written badly)
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Does the title seem designed to trigger strong emotions? ("SHOCKING: What Coffee Companies Don't Want You to Know!!!" 🚩🚩🚩)
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Is the news reported by other reputable sources? (If only one site talks about it, turn on all the red lights)
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Is the date recent? (Fake news often recycles old stories and presents them as new)
How not to be a "walking fake news" yourself
Here are three golden rules that I always follow:
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Don't share immediately : take 30 seconds to review before clicking "share"
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Seek Confirmation : Use multiple sources to verify an important story
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Admit when you're wrong : If you've shared something false, publicly correct it (I know, it hurts your ego, but it's good for society)
Conclusion: We are all digital detectives
In a world where reality and digital fiction intertwine like in an episode of Black Mirror, each of us must become a little detective. It's not just a matter of not being fooled, but of building a healthier digital ecosystem.
Remember: behind every fake news there is someone who creates it and someone who spreads it. Don't be that "someone" who spreads it!
And you, have you ever discovered a particularly absurd fake news? Tell me about it in the comments on Instagram! Or maybe you created it? (In that case... don't tell me about it in the comments! 😅)
See you soon!
Paul
PS: If you liked this article and want to learn more techniques to navigate safely in the digital world, check out my blog and articles for a secure online presence. Because your digital security is just as important as your real one!