* An accessible history of the development of faked information through technology, from the invention of the camera to present-day innovations in artificial intelligence. * Informed by new research and original interviews with key figures of the periods that are discussed, as well as Scheirer's experiences over the past several decades as an active member of the media forensics, information security, and AI communities * The role of fake content in politics is a prevalent topic in today's news, and interest in it (as well as bad takes on it) will only grow as we get closer to the 2024 election. This book will inject fresh ideas into the conversation. * This book acknowledges that problems associated with fake content stem from human behavior, not an intrinsic property of the content itself, and offers practical recommendations on how to address such problems in an ethical manner * Focuses on the development of the relationship between computer hacking, the production of fake content, and the influence it has on today's media environment * Exposes a historical continuity in photography that brings into question the popular narratives around perceived threats associated with digital imagery * Offers an accessible discussion of the emerging role of AI in content production, and how it is reshaping the media landscape * Scheirer is a CS professor with many technical publications to his name on image analysis, machine learning, neural networks, and tech ethics. He has a unique combination of technical expertise and the ability to explain in layman's terms the effect of complex technologies. For readers of history, computer science, technology, media and communication studies, and tech ethics. Potential for interest among policymakers/think-tank professionals focused on the problem of online disinformation. Accessible to nonacademic readers with an interest in internet history, the history of conspiracy theories, hacking and hacker culture, and the politics of misinformation and deception.