The spread of deepfake content is now one of the most significant risks to the digital reputation of political figures, company directors, executives, managers, public officials and high-profile athletes. Manipulated videos, images and audio can attribute to real people statements or behavior that never occurred, with immediate effects on their credibility and on the trust placed in them by stakeholders, investors, voters and the public.
This content is often spread through social networks, video platforms and seemingly reliable websites, making it difficult for end users to tell authentic information from falsified content. In this context, the risk is not only the circulation of a single deepfake, but its rapid replication across multiple channels, which amplifies and prolongs the damage.
The damage caused by deepfakes
A deepfake can have significant consequences in a very short time. The first effect is almost always reputational damage that affects the public perception of the person involved. To this may be added possible economic impacts, such as loss of trust by clients, partners or investors, as well as involvement in scams or fraud based on false content. In some cases, the repercussions also extend to the legal and regulatory level, especially when the person affected operates in regulated sectors or holds institutional office.
Once the content starts to circulate, every hour it remains online increases the likelihood that it will be copied, reworked or republished elsewhere, making damage containment increasingly complex.
Why timely removal is decisive
In countering deepfakes, speed of intervention is a central element. Publicly exposing the content as fake or bringing traditional legal action is not enough if the material remains available online. It is necessary to act directly on the platforms hosting it, obtaining removal as quickly as possible.
However, not all reports receive the same attention from digital platforms. The priority with which a report is assessed can make a substantial difference to response times.
The appointment of Argo Business Solutions as a Trusted Flagger
In January 2025, Argo Business Solutions was awarded trusted flagger status under the DSA by AGCOM by the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM). This is a formal recognition granted to entities that demonstrate expertise, reliability and independence in identifying and reporting illegal content online.
The status was awarded for areas central to digital protection, including the infringement of intellectual property rights, the protection of commercial rights and the fight against online scams and fraud. By virtue of this role, reports submitted by Argo are handled with priority by digital platforms, enabling faster assessment and, in well-founded cases, accelerated removal of illicit content.
This is particularly relevant in deepfake cases, where the length of time the content stays online is decisive in the spread and impact of the damage.
Argo's deepfake removal service
The deepfake removal service offered by Argo Business Solutions is designed to protect individuals and organizations with high media exposure through a structured, professional approach. The intervention starts with the analysis of the content and the assessment of the reputational risk and continues with a qualified report to the platforms, leveraging Trusted Flagger status to speed up response times. This is followed by ongoing monitoring aimed at identifying any republication or variants of the content already removed.
The goal is not only to eliminate the individual fake content, but to significantly reduce the overall impact of the digital attack and prevent further damage to the reputation of the person involved.
Protecting reputation in a complex digital environment
The evolution of manipulation techniques makes active protection of online reputation increasingly necessary, especially for those in roles of public or corporate responsibility. Managing deepfakes requires specific expertise, the ability to intervene quickly and a structured dialogue with digital platforms.
Relying on Argo Business Solutions means being able to count on a partner institutionally recognized as a Trusted Flagger, able to effectively support the removal of deepfakes and the protection of reputation in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Want to know more about our online brand protection services? Contact us for a personalized consultation.