TikTok says it has taken down deepfake videos spreading trade falsehoods

Summary

• TikTok permanently banned accounts linked to a deepfake network spreading divisive false content to Canadians.
• The platform launched an independent investigation that removed additional content & accounts violating rules on deceptive AI-generated material.
• A McGill University report identified nearly 300 TikTok & Instagram accounts in the network that accumulated 22.1 million views in three months.
• Many videos focused on the U.S.-Canada trade war, including a viral clip about a non-existent 48-hour ultimatum from President Donald Trump that received over 5 million views.
• The report notes that only 6.3 per cent of viewers recognized the videos as inauthentic or propaganda.
• Investigators determined the network is likely operated from outside North America, though the specific operators remain unidentified.
• Meta declined to comment on the report or confirm if it removed the associated videos from Instagram.