Editor’s Note: Deepfake technology has moved digital media authenticity from a theoretical concern to an operational challenge for legal, cybersecurity, regulatory, and investigative teams. This on-demand HaystackID® webcast addresses that shift directly, examining how synthetic images, audio, and video can complicate litigation, corporate investigations, regulatory response, and public-facing incidents when authenticity is questioned. For professionals responsible for evidence integrity, defensible workflows, chain of custody, and risk mitigation, the discussion offers practical guidance on evaluating manipulated media, strengthening admissibility, and preparing organizations for a legal environment where seeing is no longer enough.


A legal education presentation by HaystackID®

Content Assessment: When seeing isn’t believing: Deepfakes, digital evidence and proving authenticity in the age of AI

Information - 93%
Insight - 94%
Relevance - 94%
Objectivity - 92%
Authority - 94%

93%

Excellent

A short percentage-based assessment of the qualitative benefit expressed as a percentage of positive reception of the recent article from ComplexDiscovery OÜ titled, "When seeing isn’t believing: Deepfakes, digital evidence, and proving authenticity in the age of AI."



When seeing isn’t believing: Deepfakes, digital evidence, and proving authenticity in the age of AI

Artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed the reliability of digital media as evidence. Images, video, and audio, once treated as inherently trustworthy, can now be convincingly fabricated using GenAI and deepfake technologies. As synthetic media becomes more accessible and realistic, legal teams, investigators, and organizations face a new evidentiary challenge: determining what is real and proving authenticity in defensible ways.

During this on-demand HaystackID® webcast, digital forensics experts will examine the growing legal and investigative risks created by manipulated media across litigation, regulatory matters, corporate investigations, and public-facing incidents.

Attendees will learn:

  • Why traditional visual review methods are no longer sufficient.
  • How synthetic media can evade detection.
  • What courts increasingly expect when authenticity is challenged.

Event details

During the timely presentation, industry leaders will provide practical insight into how digital media authentication works in real-world scenarios, from early assessment and preservation to forensic analysis and expert testimony. Panelists will explain how chain of custody, forensic validation, and documented methodologies strengthen admissibility and defensibility, and how organizations can build repeatable processes to evaluate and respond to deepfake risks before they escalate into legal, financial, or reputational crises.

+ Original Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026


Expert panelists

+ Rene Novoa, CCLO, CCPA, CJED
Vice President of Forensics, HaystackID

As Vice President of Forensics for HaystackID, Rene Novoa has more than 20 years of technology experience conducting data recovery, digital forensics, eDiscovery, and account management and sales activities. During this time, Rene has performed investigations in both civil and criminal matters and has directly provided litigation support and forensic analysis for seven years. Rene has regularly worked with ICAC, HTCIA, IACIS, and other regional task forces supporting State Law Enforcement Division accounts and users in his most recent forensic leadership roles.

+ Jeff Shapiro
Managing Director, Europe, HaystackID

Jeff Shapiro is the Managing Director for Europe at HaystackID where he oversees the development and growth initiatives across the region. Shapiro, a seasoned legal and technology professional, brings extensive experience advising on complex, multijurisdictional matters spanning eDiscovery, information governance, cybersecurity, litigation, investigation, and regulatory response. His career includes tenures at several industry-leading professional service firms, including a top global consultancy and a Magic Circle law firm. Jeff has a reputation for objective, consultative leadership and a proven track record in building large-scale operations. Jeff has long focused on giving back to the legal technology community in London, including his ACEDS UK volunteer work and vice president position, as well as his past roles as the ILTA UK Litigation Support Chair and a Relativity User Group steering committee member.

+ Todd Tabor
Senior Vice President of Forensics, HaystackID

In 2021, Todd Tabor joined HaystackID and is currently the Vice President of PMO, Forensics. In this role, he is responsible for the identification, hiring, training, and development of HaystackID’s Forensic Project Management Team as well as developing the processes and procedures of that team. Prior to joining HaystackID, Todd was the Executive Vice President of Operations for Veristar.

+ John Wilson, ACE, AME, CBE [Moderator]
Chief Information Security Officer and President of Forensics, HaystackID

As Chief Information Security Officer and President of Forensics at HaystackID, John provides consulting and forensic services to help companies address various matters related to electronic discovery and computer forensics, including leading forensic investigations, cryptocurrency investigations, and ensuring proper preservation of evidence items and chain of custody. He regularly develops forensic workflows and processes for clients ranging from major financial institutions to governmental departments, including Fortune 500 companies and Am Law 100 law firms.


About HaystackID®

HaystackID® solves complex data challenges related to legal, compliance, regulatory, and cyber requirements. Core offerings include Global Advisory, Cybersecurity, Core Intelligence AI™, and ReviewRight® Global Managed Review, supported by its unified CoreFlex™ service interface and eDiscovery AI™ technology. Recognized globally by industry leaders, including Chambers, Gartner, IDC, and Legaltech News, HaystackID helps corporations and legal practices manage data gravity, where information demands action, and workflow gravity, where critical requirements demand coordinated expertise, delivering innovative solutions with a continual focus on security, privacy, and integrity. Learn more at HaystackID.com.


Source: HaystackID

Assisted by GAI and LLM Technologies

ComplexDiscovery’s mission is to enable clarity for complex decisions by providing independent, data‑driven reporting, research, and commentary that make digital risk, legal technology, and regulatory change more legible for practitioners, policymakers, and business leaders.

 

Have a Request?

If you have information or offering requests that you would like to ask us about, please let us know, and we will make our response to you a priority.

ComplexDiscovery OÜ is an independent digital publication and research organization based in Tallinn, Estonia. ComplexDiscovery covers cybersecurity, data privacy, regulatory compliance, and eDiscovery, with reporting that connects legal and business technology developments—including high-growth startup trends—to international business, policy, and global security dynamics. Focusing on technology and risk issues shaped by cross-border regulation and geopolitical complexity, ComplexDiscovery delivers editorial coverage, original analysis, and curated briefings for a global audience of legal, compliance, security, and technology professionals. Learn more at ComplexDiscovery.com.

 

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Model Use

ComplexDiscovery OÜ recognizes the value of GAI and LLM tools in streamlining content creation processes and enhancing the overall quality of its research, writing, and editing efforts. To this end, ComplexDiscovery OÜ regularly employs GAI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grammarly, Midjourney, and Perplexity, to assist, augment, and accelerate the development and publication of both new and revised content in posts and pages published (initiated in late 2022).

ComplexDiscovery also provides a ChatGPT-powered AI article assistant for its users. This feature leverages LLM capabilities to generate relevant and valuable insights related to specific page and post content published on ComplexDiscovery.com. By offering this AI-driven service, ComplexDiscovery OÜ aims to create a more interactive and engaging experience for its users, while highlighting the importance of responsible and ethical use of GAI and LLM technologies.