@article{2025:vogler:support_fo,
title = {Support for deepfake regulation: The role of third-person perception, trust, and risk},
year = {2025},
note = {Like other emerging technologies, deepfakes present both risks and
benefits to society. Due to harmful applications such as
disinformation and non-consensual pornography, calls for their
regulation have increased recently. However, little is known about
public support for deepfake regulation and the factors related to it.
This study addresses this gap through a pre-registered online survey
(n = 1,361) conducted in Switzerland, where citizens can influence
political regulation through direct democratic instruments, such as
referendums. Our findings reveal a strong third-person perception, as
people believe that deepfakes affect others more than themselves
(Cohen’s d = 0.77). This presumed effect on others is a weak but
significant predictor of support for regulation (β = 0.07). However,
we do not find evidence for the second-person effect – the idea that
individuals who perceive deepfakes as highly influential on both
themselves and others are more likely to support regulation. However,
an exploratory analysis indicates a potential second-person effect
among females, who are specifically affected by deepfakes; a result
which must be further explored and replicated. Additionally, we find
that higher perceived risk and greater trust in institutions are
positively associated with support for deepfake regulation.},
journal = {SCM Studies in Communication and Media},
pages = {570--593},
author = {Vogler, Daniel and Rauchfleisch, Adrian and Seta, Gabriele de},
volume = {14},
number = {4}
}