Network of deepfake videos spreading falsehoods about trade war with U.S.: report

OTTAWA — A new report says a network that’s likely based outside of Canada is using deepfakes to spread “politically divisive” content to Canadians.

The report from McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy says the network uses deepfakes of real influencers.

It says many of the videos focus on the U.S.-Canada trade war and the most-watched videos include false information.

They include a video about a non-existent ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump that was viewed more than five million times.

The network includes nearly 300 TikTok and Instagram accounts and has posted more than 3,201 videos that have been seen 22.1 million times in the past three months.

The report says it’s not clear who is behind the network but it is “almost certainly” run outside of North America.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2026.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press