# Deepfake technology risks and societal impact > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/deepfake-technology-risks-and-societal-impact > Updated: 2026-10-05T12:05:06.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Recent reports highlight the escalating risks posed by deepfake technology, focusing on both cybersecurity threats and broader societal impacts. A Gartner survey indicates a rise in social engineering attacks, with 41% of Chief Information Security Officers reporting audio deepfake targets and 36% reporting employees were targeted via deepfake video calls within a 12-month period. Analysts suggest that while AI increases attack credibility, many incidents still leverage stolen credentials and human deception. Beyond direct cyberattacks, research suggests deepfakes are creating a “disruptive trust crisis.” Experts warn that the technology may lead to a general loss of public confidence in all visual and video content. To mitigate these risks, recommendations include implementing phishing-resistant authentication, establishing secure verification behaviors for high-stakes requests, and fostering communicative resilience through public education and technological detection. Cybersecurity experts from Keeper Security and Adaptive Security further note that AI-driven attacks are becoming increasingly scalable and persuasive. Criminals can now use cloned voices and faces to impersonate individuals, allowing for the generation of highly personalized phishing attacks in seconds. Research by Anja Körnle emphasizes that the primary threat is the gradual erosion of general trust in all visual and auditory content, rather than just individual fake videos. To combat this, experts recommend combining technological detection software with structured internal crisis processes and proactive communication strategies. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-05: Deepfake technology poses rising risks to cybersecurity and corporate trust Experts warn that deepfakes are evolving from novelties into scalable tools for social engineering and a systemic threat to corporate trust and digital authenticity. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deepfake-technology-poses-growing-risks-to-information-trust ### 2026-09-28: Gartner report: Deepfake audio and video attacks on the rise A Gartner survey shows 41% of CISOs faced audio deepfake attacks and 36% faced video deepfake attacks in the last year, highlighting a rise in AI-driven social engineering. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gartner-report-deepfake-audio-and-video-attacks-on-the-rise --- Cite as: Deepfake technology risks and societal impact. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/deepfake-technology-risks-and-societal-impact