# Are Deepfakes Concerning? Analyzing Conversations of Deepfakes on Reddit and Exploring Societal Implications

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.15044 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.15044/

## Key facts

- Cited by 14 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 14 Mar 2022.

## Built on by (most cited first, 14 of 14)

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- [Exploring the Use of Abusive Generative AI Models on Civitai](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.12876/) (2024)
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- [Non-Consensual Synthetic Intimate Imagery: Prevalence, Attitudes, and Knowledge in 10 Countries](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.01721/) (2024)
- [Understanding Public Perceptions of AI Conversational Agents: A Cross-Cultural Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.16039/) (2024)
- [Deepfakes and Higher Education: A Research Agenda and Scoping Review of Synthetic Media](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.15601/) (2024)
- [FreezeAsGuard: Mitigating Illegal Adaptation of Diffusion Models via Selective Tensor Freezing](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.17472/) (2024)
- [Sword and Shield: Uses and Strategies of LLMs in Navigating Disinformation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.07211/) (2025)
- [Where the Devil Hides: Deepfake Detectors Can No Longer Be Trusted](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.08255/) (2025)
- [Exploring outlooks towards generative AI-based assistive technologies for people with Autism](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.09815/) (2023)
- [Generative Propaganda](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.19147/) (2025)
- [Is Seeing Believing? Evaluating Human Sensitivity to Synthetic Video](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.13846/) (2026)
- [Evaluating LLMs' Effectiveness on Real-World Consumer Device Repair Questions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.03331/) (2026)
- [Understanding Scam Trends and Rail Paths from Reddit Self-Disclosure Narratives](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.16874/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Deepfakes are synthetic content generated using advanced deep learning and AI technologies. The advancement of technology has created opportunities for anyone to create and share deepfakes much easier. This may lead to societal concerns based on how communities engage with it. However, there is limited research available to understand how communities perceive deepfakes. We examined deepfake conversations on Reddit from 2018 to 2021 -- including major topics and their temporal changes as well as implications of these conversations. Using a mixed-method approach -- topic modeling and qualitative coding, we found 6,638 posts and 86,425 comments discussing concerns of the believable nature of deepfakes and how platforms moderate them. We also found Reddit conversations to be pro-deepfake and building a community that supports creating and sharing deepfake artifacts and building a marketplace regardless of the consequences. Possible implications derived from qualitative codes indicate that deepfake conversations raise societal concerns. We propose that there are implications for Human Computer Interaction (HCI) to mitigate the harm created from deepfakes.