Deepfake Interest in South Korea: A Temporal Analysis of Google Trends from 2017 to 2024

Deepfake technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to generate hyper-realistically manipulated videos, images, texts, and audio, has garnered significant public and academic interest. The proliferation of deepfakes, especially in non-consensual pornography, financial fraud and political misinformation, has sparked ethical, moral, legal, and security debates worldwide. While existing research predominantly focuses on deepfake detection, legal frameworks, and their potential impact on the democratic process, few studies have examined public interest in deepfakes and the factors influencing search behavior. This study addresses this gap by analyzing public interest in deepfakes in South Korea, using Google Trends data from January 2017 to August 2024. This timeframe is particularly significant as it encompasses the initial emergence of deepfake technology in 2017 and its increasing use in fraudulent and non-consensual content in South Korea. The country represents a unique case due to its global leadership in deepfake-related searches, widespread consumption of non-consensual sexual deepfakes, and frequent occurrence of deepfake fraud. This study employs dictionary-based text analysis to categorize search queries into three main themes: sexual content, techniques for creating deepfakes, and methods for accessing deepfake materials. The findings indicate that 77.81% of searches are related to non-consensual sexual content, primarily targeting female celebrities. Contrary to global trends, political deepfakes did not significantly influence search patterns in South Korea. These insights highlight the urgent need for stronger regulatory frameworks and technological interventions to mitigate the harms associated with deepfakes.

LINK: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ikad/issue/90816/1570974

Influence of Various Media Sources on the Fear of Terrorism: A Comparative Study of Japan and Taiwan

Abstract: 

This study examines the relationship between media consumption and fear of terrorism in Japan and Taiwan, two countries that experience low exposure to terrorism yet exhibit high levels of fear regarding terrorism. The analysis investigates the effects of active media sources (such as newspapers and the internet) and passive media sources (such as television, radio, and social media) on fear of terrorism, using data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey. Ordered Logistic Regression (OLR) analysis was conducted on data from 1,273 participants in Japan and 1,221 participants in Taiwan. The findings indicate that active media sources do not have a statistically significant effect on fear of terrorism in either country. In contrast, passive media sources are positively associated with increased fear of terrorism, with this effect being statistically stronger in Japan than in Taiwan. Additionally, demographic factors such as gender, age, and education influence fear of terrorism. In both countries, women report higher levels of fear regarding terrorism than men. In Japan, younger individuals exhibit lower levels of fear regarding terrorism. Education level significantly impacts fear of terrorism in Taiwan, where lower education levels are associated with higher fear regarding terrorism. These findings provide valuable insights into how media consumption and demographic factors influence perceptions and fears of terrorism in low-risk countries such as Taiwan and Japan. 

Keywords: Fear of Terrorism, Japan, Taiwan, Active Media Sources, Passive Media Sources.

LINK: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4228513

Exploring the Reflection of the Definitional Problem of Terrorism in Public Opinion Using Wikipedia Data

Abstract

Terrorism is a global issue, particularly after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Despite the global attention, there is no common definition of terrorism, as what one country defines as a terrorist is considered a freedom fighter by another. However, the impact of a country's attitude towards such organizations on people's perceptions and discourse has not been thoroughly explored. Accordingly, this study examines Wikipedia content related to the People's Defense Units (YPG), an organization recognized as a terrorist entity by some countries but not defined as such by others. Turkish Wikipedia content about YPG, representing Türkiye, which recognizes YPG as a terrorist organization, is compared with English Wikipedia content about YPG, a viewpoint held by countries like the USA and the UK, which do not recognize it as a terrorist organization. Additionally, Turkish and English content related to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), recognized as a terrorist organization worldwide, is also examined using the sentiment analysis. The analysis reveals that the dominant sentiment in Turkish Wikipedia content related to YPG, representing Türkiye that recognizes YPG as a terrorist organization, is negative, while the dominant sentiment in English Wikipedia content is positive. Conversely, the prevalent emotion in both Turkish and English Wikipedia content about ISIS, universally acknowledged as a terrorist organization, is negative. In summary, the study finds that the attitudes and opinions of countries towards an organization are reflected in society, and the public's attitude towards the organization in the country they reside in also influences the discourse about that organization.

LINK: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ijshs/issue/89666/1614095

Soliciting Terror: ISKP Digital Communications and Financing Tactics Through Voice of Khurasan

 Abstract

This study explores the digital strategies employed by the Islamic State's Khorasan Province (ISKP), focusing on its Voice of Khurasan magazine, which serves as a platform for propaganda, fundraising, and communication. Through descriptive and focused analyses of 40 issues, the study identifies ISKP's integration of cryptocurrency, particularly Monero, for anonymous donations, and its innovative use of dual communication platforms, Telegram and Rocket.Chat, to maintain operational secrecy. The research highlights the role of Quranic verses in legitimising donation requests and the shift to decentralized platforms in response to counterterrorism efforts. It underscores the challenges posed by ISKP's digital strategies and calls for enhanced collaboration between governments, technology companies, and blockchain analysts to counter these threats. This multi-disciplinary approach aims to disrupt terrorist networks while balancing privacy and security in the digital age.

LINK: https://gnet-research.org/2024/12/12/soliciting-terror-iskp-digital-communications-and-financing-tactics-through-voice-of-khurasan/

A Hashtag Perspective: Examining ISIS Supporter Activities on Twitter in Türkiye between 2019 and 2022

This study explores the Twitter activities of Turkish supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from 2019 to 2022, focusing on hashtag usage patterns. As a central part of ISIS's online strategy, hashtags are pivotal in disseminating propaganda, coordinating campaigns, and soliciting support. By analyzing 202,327 tweets, this research offers insights into thematic priorities and interconnections within ISIS-related discourse. Employing descriptive and network analyses, key findings reveal a steady increase in ISIS-supportive tweets, the emergence of clusters around aid and familial support, and distinct, unconnected hashtag groups reflecting various narratives. Hashtags related to financial aid, such as #saveprisoners and #elholcamp, emerge as central, highlighting a covert system of funding through social media and encrypted communication. This paper underscores the complexity of ISIS's digital influence in Türkiye, emphasizing the need for multifaceted countermeasures involving tech platforms, security forces, and media awareness campaigns to combat online extremist activities effectively.

LINK: https://gnet-research.org/2024/08/07/a-hashtag-perspective-examining-isis-supporter-activities-on-twitter-in-turkiye-between-2019-and-2022/

Bridging Disciplinary Gaps and Methodological Challenges in Understanding Deepfake Discourse: A Study of Turkish Reddit Posts Related to Deepfake

Abstract

This study explores the evolving landscape of deepfake discussions, focusing particularly on Turkish posts on Reddit. While deepfake technology gained prominence in 2017, the academic community's interest surged, with studies primarily concentrating on deepfake detection. However, there is a dearth of research on public perceptions and online discourse surrounding deepfake. Through text analysis, this study explores Turkish Reddit posts, uncovering that a substantial portion (69.4%) focuses on deepfakes with sexual content, particularly featuring celebrities (60.2%). Politics also emerges as a prominent theme, constituting 22% of the content, with an additional 8.6% dedicated to technical aspects of deepfake creation. Over time, posts on sexual deepfake content, particularly those featuring celebrities, dominate, but during the May 2023 presidential and general elections, political deepfakes gained traction. Despite shedding light on content trends, the study faces two significant limitations. The first limitation is methodological. Studies relying solely on text analysis struggle to offer comprehensive insights into people's perceptions of deepfake. Therefore, a more profound understanding can be attained through qualitative face-to-face interviews, allowing for a deeper exploration of individuals' perspectives. The second limitation is disciplinary. Research encompassing diverse disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and media studies would yield more nuanced results in comprehending both the broader framework of public and societal perceptions on the topic and their deeper intricacies.

Key words: Deepfake, Türkiye, Reddit, Interdisciplinary Approach, Dictionary-based Text Analysis, Mixed Methods

Link: https://ojs.library.carleton.ca/index.php/J-ICSLAC/article/view/4839/3551

Comparative Analysis of the Content of Online Magazines of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Different Languages: Dabiq, Rumiyah, and Konstantiniyye

 Abstract

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) effectively uses online magazines for propaganda, leveraging advanced internet technologies to disseminate its message in multiple languages. This study investigates ISIS's use of online magazines to promote its self-proclaimed jihad and attract recruits globally. While existing research examines ISIS's multilingual magazines, few studies comprehensively compare them across languages. This study conducts a text analysis of Dabiq and Rumiyah in English and Konstantiniyye in Turkish. The findings reveal that all magazines construct distinct “us” versus “them” identities, focusing on religion and justification. Konstantiniyye, targeting Turkish Muslims, emphasizes stronger religious themes compared to Dabiq and Rumiyah. Overall, these magazines discuss legal systems, jihad, state structure, and social order, advocating for Muslim unification under a single “caliphate.” This analysis sheds light on ISIS's diverse propaganda strategies tailored to different linguistic contexts.

Keywords: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS); Dictionary-based Analysis; Dabiq; Rumiyah; Konstantiniyye

LINK:  https://journals.tplondon.com/ipr/article/view/3313