“Deepfakes” and cybersecurity threats top Canadians’ concerns even as domestic e-commerce gains traction

OTTAWA – July 15, 2025: Have you almost or actually been fooled by a fake? As the use of Artificial intelligence [AI] continues to grow, images, voices, and video that is not real has grown too. Many of those fake images, audio files and videos are posted on social media, and it is starting to have an impact.

Many Canadians are reshaping their online habits in the face of rapid AI innovation, waning faith in social networks, and rising geopolitical tensions, according to the 2025 Canadian Internet Trends Report released today by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).

The annual survey of 2,000 adult internet users reveals a dramatic doubling in generative AI usage, alongside deepening worries about misinformation, deepfakes, and cybersecurity—while Canadian-based online shopping and the .CA domain emerge as beacons of trust.

CIRA is the steward of the .CA domain, the organization advocates for a secure, open, and trusted Internet in Canada. Through research, services, and policy engagement, CIRA works to ensure the digital future reflects Canadian values of privacy, inclusion, and innovation.

“The internet is no longer just a tool—it’s a mirror of the complex world we live in,” said Byron Holland, CIRA’s President and CEO. “We see Canadians gravitating toward AI-driven productivity, yet demanding more accountability from platforms and stronger safeguards from service providers.”

AI Adoption Rockets; Deepfake Anxiety Follows

• AI Usage Doubles: 33 percent of Canadians have used a generative AI tool in the past year—more than twice the rate recorded in 2024.

• Deepfake Encounters Up 70 percent: A third (34 percent) now report seeing AI-fabricated audio or video, compared to 20 percent last year.

• Call for a Ban: Nearly 80 percent believe deepfakes should be prohibited on social media, and 59 percent view them as a threat to democratic elections.

While AI’s creative and productivity benefits are clear, Canadians are keenly aware of its darker potential. “We must harness generative models responsibly,” Holland added, noting strong public support for regulatory guardrails to prevent fabricated content from eroding trust.

Social Media Trust Erodes—X Bears the Brunt

• X Tops Misinformation Lists: 31 percent of respondents say X (formerly Twitter) leads in polarizing content; 33 percent name it the primary source of false news.

• Safety Perception Plummets: Confidence in X’s safety has fallen 20 points since 2018.

• Alternatives Struggle: Despite growing buzz, only 5 percent of Canadians report using Bluesky this year.

Even Fox News personalities and MAGA influencers have publicly urged the White House for greater transparency on platform‐hosted disinformation. The CIRA report underscores that declining trust may drive users toward smaller, more tightly moderated networks—if those platforms can achieve sufficient scale.

Homegrown E-Commerce and the .CA Edge

• Local Loyalty: When given a choice, 64 percent of Canadians prefer to shop from domestic online retailers.

• Economic Patriotism: 55 percent say supporting the Canadian economy is their top motivation.

• .CA as Trustmark: In an era of tariff disputes and supply-chain shocks, the .CA domain remains a key signal of reliability and national identity.

“Canadians want to keep their dollars—and their data—closer to home,” Holland observed, highlighting CIRA’s efforts to promote secure, locally governed internet infrastructure.

Cyberthreats Remain Pervasive

• 20 percent of Canadians have personally experienced a cyberattack or data breach, most often via compromised third-party services.

• Scam Awareness vs. Reality: Although 61 percent feel confident spotting phishing attempts, the prevalence of breaches underscores the need for businesses—large and small—to bolster their cybersecurity defenses.

CIRA’s report calls on all organizations to prioritize end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to protect Canadians’ information in an increasingly perilous digital landscape.

Looking Ahead

CIRA’s full 2025 Internet Trends Report—including detailed breakdowns by age, region, and sector—can be accessed at cira.ca/internet-trends-2025. Over the coming weeks, CIRA will publish a four-part blog series diving deeper into key findings, offering recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and everyday users navigating Canada’s evolving online ecosystem.