Check. Recheck. Vote.

Don’t fall for deepfakes this election.

Together, we can help secure elections and combat deepfakes

As Americans prepare to vote this November, AI deepfakes present a new threat to the security of our election process. By understanding what they are and how they may be used to mislead voters, we can help curb their spread online.

What is a “deepfake”?

A deepfake is an AI generated image, video, or audio recording, typically used to spread false information. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled deepfakes to seem so realistic that it can be hard for the most skilled experts to spot them as fake.

How might deepfakes be used during elections?

Deepfakes can be used to spread false information, with the intent to mislead voters. Their use is on the rise this election season—including by foreign bad actors seeking to interfere with the Democratic process.

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Test your AI detection skills

Spotting AI-manipulated images can be difficult, even for the most skilled AI experts. Try our Real or Not quiz to see just how hard it is to distinguish AI-generated images from real ones.

Take the quiz

Find voting resources in your area

Visit the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) website to learn when, where, and how to vote.

Find official voting resources

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What can we do to fight deepfakes?

AI has the potential to help address some of our greatest societal challenges. But the AI technologies used to create deepfakes are widely available and not limited to those who care about responsible use. This makes well-informed citizens like yourself essential to curbing the spread of deepfakes and upholding the democratic process during this election.

Check (and recheck) your sources

It is important to be a critical consumer of information and to verify sources. Always confirm that political and voting information come from a known, trusted news source or an election authority.

Check for accuracy before sharing or commenting on political and voting information

It’s equally important to prioritize accuracy over speed, and to comment upon and share information thoughtfully. The best way to stop the spread of a deepfake is to avoid sharing or commenting upon it further. If a headline, video, image, or audio recording seems sensational, be sure to read the full story and verify its source before you trust, comment upon, or share it further.

Report suspected deepfakes and disinformation to social media authorities for review

Many social media companies have built powerful protection features to detect and label AI-generated content and deepfakes so that users can understand their sources. But if you see content that you strongly suspect may be a deepfake, flag it to the platform (typically in the “report” option in a post).

Register to vote and validate your registration

Prepare ahead so that you can easily navigate the voter registration process and have the information you need to securely and accurately cast your ballot. Consult the TurboVote website for information.

As technologies keep developing, keep your media literacy skills sharp

Learning about deepfakes is an important step in a continuous journey of improving your media literacy and fact-checking skills. Learn more on the News Literacy Project site and encourage others to do the same.

Learn more and spread the word

There are many resources available to help you make informed voting choices. Check out these websites and share with others.