--- title: "Deepfake network spreads divisive content, report says" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/media/deepfake-network-spreads-divisive-content-report-says" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/deepfake-network-spreads-divisive-content-report-says" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/deepfake-network-spreads-divisive-content-report-says.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/deepfake-network-spreads-divisive-content-report-says" category: "Media" area: "United States" published: "2026-11-12T19:46:10.678Z" source_reported: "2026-11-12T19:28:31.509Z" updated: "2026-11-12T19:46:10.678Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-11-12T19:45:12.500381+00:00" --- # Deepfake network spreads divisive content, report says *McGill University study details use of fake videos on social media platforms* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body, McGill University's Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The report is attributed to The Canadian Press, and the central claim is attributed to a named body. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline uses the word 'false information' which is a mild sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A network likely operating outside Canada is using deepfake videos of real influencers to spread politically divisive content, a McGill University report states. - Many of the videos focus on the U.S.-Canada trade war, with some containing false information. - The network comprises nearly 300 TikTok and Instagram accounts that have posted over 3,201 videos, accumulating 22.1 million views in three months. - The report from McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy does not identify who is behind the network but suggests it is run from outside North America. A network likely based outside of Canada is using deepfake videos to spread politically divisive content, according to a report by McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy. The videos feature real influencers and many focus on the U.S.-Canada trade war, with some containing false information. One video about a non-existent ultimatum from former U.S. President Donald Trump was viewed more than five million times. The network operates across nearly 300 TikTok and Instagram accounts, having posted more than 3,201 videos. These videos have collectively been seen 22.1 million times in the past three months. The report states it is unclear who is behind the network, but it is "almost certainly" run from outside North America. ## Coverage comparison The reports agree that a network is using deepfakes of real influencers to spread politically divisive content, with many videos focusing on the U.S.-Canada trade war. They also agree on the scale of the network, citing nearly 300 social media accounts and over 3,201 videos viewed 22.1 million times in three months. The reports also agree that the network is likely based outside Canada and North America, and that its operators are unknown. ## What the coverage left out No right-rated reports covered this story. ## Who covered it Shares of the 16 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 75% (12) - Centre: 25% (4) - Right: 0% (0) 1 of 17 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-12T19:45:12.500381+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 3 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-12T20:30:10.407Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led with the existence of a network using deepfakes to spread "politically divisive" content. They reported that the network uses deepfakes of real influencers and that many videos focus on the U.S.-Canada trade war. The reports also included details on the network's size, stating it comprises nearly 300 TikTok and Instagram accounts and has posted over 3,201 videos seen 22.1 million times in three months. The origin of the network was noted as likely being outside Canada, with its operators unknown. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports highlighted that a network is using deepfakes of real influencers to spread "politically divisive" content, with many videos focusing on the U.S.-Canada trade war. They reported the network's scale, noting nearly 300 TikTok and Instagram accounts and over 3,201 videos viewed 22.1 million times in three months. The reports also stated the network is likely based outside Canada and that its operators are unknown. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 10 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 6 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/canada/article/a-deepfake-video-network-is-spreading-false-information-about-the-us-trade-war-report) — A deepfake video network is spreading false information about the U.S. trade war: report - [Narcity](https://narcity.com/deepfake-videos-spreading-trade-falsehoods-report) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/canada/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-u-s-report/article_6dc3f63a-a9c5-56a6-b18f-518c4b81ca84.html) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Coast Reporter](https://coastreporter.net/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010543) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Collingwood Today](https://collingwoodtoday.ca/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/11/12/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-u-s-report) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [ElliotLakeToday.com](https://elliotlaketoday.com/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [InnisfilToday.ca](https://innisfiltoday.ca/national-news/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-us-report-13010539) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/2026/11/12/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-u-s-report) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/canada/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-u-s-report/article_99fab73a-8fec-5e87-84a2-91e6fa4aeec3.html) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/canada/network-of-deepfake-videos-spreading-falsehoods-about-trade-war-with-u-s-report/article_75383062-9cec-56cf-9dae-1f3c750814ff.html) — Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report ## Questions **What is the report about?** A report from McGill University's Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy states that a network likely based outside Canada is using deepfake videos of real influencers to spread politically divisive content. Many of these videos focus on the U.S.-Canada trade war and contain false information. **How large is this network?** The network includes nearly 300 TikTok and Instagram accounts that have posted more than 3,201 videos. These videos have collectively been viewed 22.1 million times in the past three months, according to the report. **Who is behind the network?** The report from McGill University states that it is not clear who is behind the deepfake network. However, the report suggests that the network is almost certainly run from outside of North America. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/deepfake-network-spreads-divisive-content-report-says. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Deepfake network spreads divisive content, report says", https://mediabias.news/media/deepfake-network-spreads-divisive-content-report-says